Alma Mater of Datur Vacuum was original published as a satire of an Oxford University lecture was originally published in 1783. apparently it gave "profound offence" to the Oxford alumni.  In 1870 a wood engraving of this print was published by J. Dicks, London for sale as part of a series which were sold as weekly numbers (a penny each) or monthly parts (sixpenny) and later gathered into an oversized book of 62 prints. The wood engravings are so masterful that they could easily be mistaken for the original etchings on copper.  This engraving is 8 x 6 3/4 inches. Excellent condition. Comes with a page of letterpress description of the print.