CATESBY, Mark (1682-1749). The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects and Plants . . . by the late Mark Catesby F.R.S. Revis'd by Mr Edwards . London: Printed for C. Marsh, T. Wilcox and B. Stichall, 1754. 2 volumes, large 2° (525 x 360mm.). Titles printed in red and black, titles and text in French and English, dedications to the Queen and the Princess of Wales, hand-coloured double-page engraved map, 220 HAND-COLOURED ENGRAVED PLATES, by and after Catesby, text with woodcut ornamental initials and engraved head-piece, the 44 pp. "An Account of Carolina" bound in volume I. (Occasional light spotting, mostly to margins, some minor offsetting and discoloration, volume I plate 65 has outer margin trimmed by 2 cms., plate 61 close shaved affecting engraved area, plate 74 with a short cleanly repaired tear.) Contemporary diced russia, gilt, covers with roll-tool borders incorporating decorative roll of insects including locusts, ants, flies, bees and snails, later gilt-blocked arms of Beriah Botfield, spines in seven compartments, raised bands, blue and tan morocco lettering-pieces (one lacking), others tooled in gilt incorporating insect tools, gilt inner dentelles, red-stained edges (lightly rubbed at corners and extremities, volume I with split in lower joint and head of spine chipped). SECOND EDITION, the first edition of Edwards's revision of the text, the work described by Hunt as "The most famous colour-plate book of American plant and animal life . . . A fundamental and original work for the study of American species". It is also the earliest coloured book on American birds. Catesby as a young man studied the Natural Sciences in London, and in 1712 set off for Virginia, returning in 1719 with an extensive collection of plants. This collection attracted the attention of Sir Hans Sloane, who helped fund Catesby on his second trip to Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahamas from 1722 to 1729. Back in London he prepared his Natural History of the region, drawing a new map from his own knowledge, and engraving the majority of the plates to reduce the costs of the venture. The first edition was issued by Catesby in parts, being completed by 1747. Its popularity was such that a second edition was required within five years of his death, undertaken by George Edwards In this copy it is interesting to note that the descriptive text accompanying the first 20 plates in volume II, is misnumbered p.121-140 (with amendments), suggesting a variant plate order might have been intended at one stage in the make up of the work. Cf. Hunt 486 (first edition); Nissen ZBI 842; Nissen IVB 177; Anker 95; Great Flower Books p.53; Fine Bird Books p.86; Stafleu and Cowan 1057. (2)
CATESBY, Mark (1682-1749). The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects and Plants . . . by the late Mark Catesby F.R.S. Revis'd by Mr Edwards . London: Printed for C. Marsh, T. Wilcox and B. Stichall, 1754. 2 volumes, large 2° (525 x 360mm.). Titles printed in red and black, titles and text in French and English, dedications to the Queen and the Princess of Wales, hand-coloured double-page engraved map, 220 HAND-COLOURED ENGRAVED PLATES, by and after Catesby, text with woodcut ornamental initials and engraved head-piece, the 44 pp. "An Account of Carolina" bound in volume I. (Occasional light spotting, mostly to margins, some minor offsetting and discoloration, volume I plate 65 has outer margin trimmed by 2 cms., plate 61 close shaved affecting engraved area, plate 74 with a short cleanly repaired tear.) Contemporary diced russia, gilt, covers with roll-tool borders incorporating decorative roll of insects including locusts, ants, flies, bees and snails, later gilt-blocked arms of Beriah Botfield, spines in seven compartments, raised bands, blue and tan morocco lettering-pieces (one lacking), others tooled in gilt incorporating insect tools, gilt inner dentelles, red-stained edges (lightly rubbed at corners and extremities, volume I with split in lower joint and head of spine chipped). SECOND EDITION, the first edition of Edwards's revision of the text, the work described by Hunt as "The most famous colour-plate book of American plant and animal life . . . A fundamental and original work for the study of American species". It is also the earliest coloured book on American birds. Catesby as a young man studied the Natural Sciences in London, and in 1712 set off for Virginia, returning in 1719 with an extensive collection of plants. This collection attracted the attention of Sir Hans Sloane, who helped fund Catesby on his second trip to Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahamas from 1722 to 1729. Back in London he prepared his Natural History of the region, drawing a new map from his own knowledge, and engraving the majority of the plates to reduce the costs of the venture. The first edition was issued by Catesby in parts, being completed by 1747. Its popularity was such that a second edition was required within five years of his death, undertaken by George Edwards In this copy it is interesting to note that the descriptive text accompanying the first 20 plates in volume II, is misnumbered p.121-140 (with amendments), suggesting a variant plate order might have been intended at one stage in the make up of the work. Cf. Hunt 486 (first edition); Nissen ZBI 842; Nissen IVB 177; Anker 95; Great Flower Books p.53; Fine Bird Books p.86; Stafleu and Cowan 1057. (2)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
