Mark Catesby (Sponge crab, sea fan coral) A Natural History… London, 1754. Framed $895.00

Tab. XXXVII “Cancer marinus chelis rubris…Titanokeratophyton ramosisimum crusta eleganti tuberculata”

A charming detailed engraving of a red eyed sponge crab shown next to a yellow spiney sea fan coral. Mark Catesby (English 1682-1749) visited the American colonies in 1712. His sister, the wife of the secretary to the Governor of Virginia provided him with many social and scientific contacts and Catesby indulged his passion for collecting bird and plant specimens, all new to the Englishman. In 1722 Catesby returned to America to pursue a pet project, his Natural History of Carolina Florida and the Bahama Islands which was published in London between 1731 and 1743. Catesby's descriptions along with his illustrations of North American birds was more natural than any earlier attempt. He drew from living specimens and included foliage backgrounds. 

Copperplate engraving on laid paper with full original hand color.
19 x 13 inches sheet.
Archivally framed, excellent original condition.