- 209
Miller, John Frederick; and George Shaw
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description
- Cimelia Physica. Figures of Rare and Curious Quadrupeds, Birds, &c. Together with Several of the Most Elegant Plants. engraved and Coloured from the Subjects Themselves by John Frederick Miller. With Descriptions by George Shaw …. London: by T. Bensley for Benjamin & John White, and John Sewell, 1796
- paper, ink, leather
Folio (20 7/8 x 13 7/8 in.; 531 x 353 mm). 60 handcolored engraved plates by Miller; title somewhat soiled and with mended teat in lower margin, plates with occasional marginal soiling. Contemporary half morocco gilt, marbled boards, edges gilt; worn, rubbed. Half green morocco clamshell case.
[With] drawing on vellum by John Frederick Miller (19 1/4 x 13 1/2 in.; 489 x 343 mm). Study for plate IX in the present volume. Original pencil, ink, and watercolor signed and dated "1775", captioned "Antholyza Æthiopica. Lin. spec. 54. At the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh." Plates watermarked 1822. Some foxing and soiling, generally not affecting image, crease at left margin not affecting image, housed in half red morocco gilt portfolio.
[With] drawing on vellum by John Frederick Miller (19 1/4 x 13 1/2 in.; 489 x 343 mm). Study for plate IX in the present volume. Original pencil, ink, and watercolor signed and dated "1775", captioned "Antholyza Æthiopica. Lin. spec. 54. At the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh." Plates watermarked 1822. Some foxing and soiling, generally not affecting image, crease at left margin not affecting image, housed in half red morocco gilt portfolio.
Provenance
Cimelia: Henry Rogers Broughton (armorial bookplate)
Literature
Fine Bird Books, p. 94; Nissen IVB 638; Nissen, BBI 1377; Stafleu TL2 6033; Wood p. 465; Zimmer p. 585
Condition
Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The plates in this volume first appeared in 1776–1792 under the title Various subjects of natural history, but this is virtually unknown. The text by Shaw is unique to this 1796 issue. John Frederick Miller, the son of noted botanical artist John Miller, was employed by Sir Joseph Banks and thus had access to the numerous zoological specimens which Banks constantly received. He painted and etched these subjects, and probably colored the plates himself as well. The Cimelia is primarily known as an ornithologcal work, but it also contains a number of important plant portraits, most of which are the first illustrations of the species depicted.