Mark Catesby | The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, 1771, 2 volumes

Mark Catesby

The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. London, 1771 [watermarks 1815]

Third edition, 2 volumes, folio (526 x 355 mm.), double-page engraved map and 220 plates, all coloured by hand, green morocco gilt by May, covers and spines with zoological motifs gilt, housed in green cloth slipcases, occasional slight spotting, mostly affecting text

A finely-coloured copy of the third edition of Catesby's "fundamental and original work for the study of American species" (Hunt 486, on the first edition). Trained as a botanist, Catesby travelled to Virginia in 1712 and remained there for seven years, sending collections of plants and seeds back to England. With the encouragement of Sir Hans Sloane and others, Catesby returned to America in 1722 to seek materials for his Natural History; he travelled extensively in Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahamas, sending back further specimens. His preface provides a lengthy account of the development of his work, including his decision to study with Joseph Goupy in order to learn to etch his plates himself to ensure accuracy and economy.

LITERATURE:

Anker 95; Fine Bird Books, p.65; Great Flower Books, p.53; Wood, p.282; Sabin 11059