18TH CENTURY MARK CATESBY ENGRAVING, THE RED WINGED STARLING,Mark Catesby (English, 1683-1794), Published 1729-47. Handcolored, of the period, engraving titled Red-Winged Starling from Catesbys' Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America. It included two hundred and twenty plates of birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects, and mammals, as well as plants. Catesby was the first to use folio-sized coloured plates in natural history books. He learnt how to etch the plates himself. The first eight plates had no backgrounds, but from then on Catesby included plants with his animals. He completed the first volume in 1731, and in February 1733 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. The second volume was completed in 1743, and in 1746–1747 he produced a supplement from material sent to him by friends in the US. - 14" high x 20 1/4" wide. Estimate $275-375
Rough bottom edge and thread holes associated with being bound. Good impression and color. Minor toning.
