The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants
Object: 2 volumes, including 220 watercolor prints and a folded map
Author/Creator: Mark Catesby
Language: English, French
Date: 1752 (2nd edition)
Catesby’s Natural History was originally issued in eleven parts (including an appendix) over an eighteen-year period (from 1729-1747). It was the first fully illustrated book on flora and fauna of North America, helping to introduce Europeans to the biodiversity of the New World. From 1722-1726, Catesby explored the Carolinas and Bahamas. Catesby was the first to depict scientifically accurate images of animals in their natural habitat—a style that was later used by John James Audobon with Birds of America (1838).
With Natural History, there was an uncharacteristically high level of artist involvement for a published work. Catesby made all but two of the final etchings, wrote the text, and colored (or at least supervised) the plates—which likely contributed to an extension of the original timeline.Catesby primarily based his etchings off his own sketches and watercolors which were generally made from life during his travels.
This project research and preparation for washing and rebinding was conducted in collaboration with Conservation Staff, including Giselle Simón, Beth Stone, Bill Voss, and Zoë Webb.
This project is still in progress--check back for updates.