- 26
Catesby, Mark
Estimate
120,000 - 180,000 GBP
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Description
- Catesby, Mark
- The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, and Plants. London: Printed at the expence of the Author and sold by W. Innys, R. Manby, Mr. Hauksbee and by the Author, 1731-1743
- paper
FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, folio (514 x 352mm.), text in English and French, title-pages printed in red and black, dedication leaves, double-page hand-coloured engraved map, 220 hand-coloured engraved plates, first 20 page numbers of vol. 2 corrected by hand as usual, eighteenth-century russia gilt with Northumberland arms on upper cover, without the list of encouragers, occasional browning, the magnolia plates transposed (one cut close at top), volume two text block and spine cracked
Provenance
Duke of Northumberland, bookplate and arms on covers
Literature
Anker 95; Dunthorne 72; Fine Bird Books, p.65; Great Flower Books, p.53; Nissen BBI 336, IVB 177; Sabin 11509; Stafleu TL2 1057; Wood, p.282
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
THE RARE FIRST EDITION. "THE MOST FAMOUS COLOR-PLATE BOOK OF AMERICAN PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE... a delightful and amusing book [and] a fundamental and original work for the study of American species" (Hunt).
Trained as a botanist, Catesby (1683-1749) travelled to Virginia in 1712 and remained there for seven years, sending back to England collections of plants and seeds. 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.