CCVIII "Chaetondon Circurgus" (The Sturgeon)

Fish have fascinated men from the beginning of time.   Early maps were decorated  with serpents and strange sea animals, and fishing was an important source of food as well as a  popular pastime among the ladies of the court.  Fish scales, in fact were the inspirations for the first sequins used to decorate clothing

Marcus Bloch's work, Ichtyologie ou Histoire Naturelle Generale et Particulier des Poissons, is the most elaborate and most famous of the all colorplate books on fish.  The book was first published in Berlin between 1785 and 1795, then, a French edition was published 1785 to 1797.  The names of the fish were printed in French, German, English and Latin, reflecting the wide audience for the work. Bloch"s plates show the fish(es) in profile, often with anatomical sketches beside them.  Each engraving was finished by hand with stunning color and remarkable attention to detail. Some of the plates even include gold or silver details to imitate scales

10 x 16  inches, sheet.
Copperplate engravings with full original coloring.
Excellent condition.