Catesby Green Sea Turtle Hand-Colored Plate

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Catesby Green Sea Turtle Hand-Colored Plate

By Catesby, Mark

SKU# 18382

$ 2,000.00

Hand-colored lithographic plate, image size 13.75 inches wide by 10 inches long, page size approximately 21 inches wide by 13 inches long. From: Catesby, M., The Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands, 1736-1771, Volume 2, plate number 38. Plate was previously framed without accompanying text. This hand-colored plate came from either the first or second edition. There were no changes to the plates between the first and second editions, so without the text it is impossible to determine the edition of the plates.  Image depicts a green turtle ("Testudo marina viridis", now Chelonia mydas Linnaeus) with turtlegrass ("Alga marina", now Thalassia testudinum). Catesby lists the green turtle as one of the four distinct kinds of Sea-Tortoise. He also makes note that they are good to eat. Cateby's travels for The Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands were extensive, and this work is considered one of the finest natural history studies of colonial AmericaIn addition to writing this famous work, Catesby is painted and etched the plates.

Publisher [Printed for the author] [Marsh and Wilcox]
Publisher Place London
Date Published [1743] [1754]
Date Published Estimated No
Edition First or second
Number of Volumes 0
Reprint No
Condition Near fine
Condition Description Previous matting and framing has caused mostly uniform tanning to page margins with small areas of lighter discoloration, image clean and bright, a beautiful plate in near fine condition.
ISBN
Limited Edition No