Beschreibung:

CATESBY, MARK. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: containing the figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, and Plants: Particularly, those not hitherto described, or incorrectly figured by former Authors, with their Descriptions in English and French. To which is prefixed, a new and correct Map of the Countries; with Observations on their Natural State, Inhabitants, and Productions...Revised by Mr. [George] Edwards. London: Printed for Benjamin White 1771 [map and 112 plates watermarked 1815 or 1816]. 2 vols., large folio, 515 x 372 mm. (20¼ x 14 5/8 in.), modern half calf gilt, yellow edges, slight foxing to plate 98 of vol. I, small stain on plate 34 of vol. II, very small nicks to lower blank margins of plates 4, 11, 28, 38 and 39 in vol. I and to plates 72, 76, 79, 88 and 100 in vol. II, four of these repaired, similar nicks to six text leaves, Linnaean names leaves foxed, occasional minor dust soiling and a few faint fingermarks. Third Edition, late issue with all the plates on wove paper, without the two dedication leaves and leaf of subscribers (not required for this issue); folding handcolored engraved map in vol. I, 220 handcolored etched plates, by and after Catesby and mostly signed with his monogram, except for plates 61 and 96 in vol. II by Georg Dionysius Ehret plate 80 single page; title-pages printed in black in English and French, text in parallel columns of English and French, "A Catalogue of the Animals and Plants...with the Linnaean Names" (2 pp. + 2 pp.) following each title-leaf, 7 leaves Preface, "An Account of Carolina" (44 pp. numbered [i]-xliv and with "Vol. I" printed on the first page of each gathering) bound preceding the plates of vol. I and with an etched headpiece by Catesby, 3-leaf Index at end of vol. II, the plates numbered in three series: 1-100, 1-100 and 1-20, text accompanying the plates numbered in two series: 1-100 and 1-120, map and 100 plates with "J. Whatman 1815" watermarks, 12 plates with "J. Whatman 1816" watermarks, titles and text on laid paper (titles and Linnaean names leaves with J. Whatman watermarks, text with I. Taylor watermarks). Anker 95; Ellis/Mengel 478; Fine Bird Books , p. 65 (of the first edition: "The earliest coloured book on American Birds"); McGill/Wood p. 282; Nissen IVB 177; Edwin Wolf 2nd, A Flock of Beautiful Birds , Philadelphia, The Library Company, 1977, pp. 5-7 ("He was the first to observe and depict North American birds in their natural settings, combining ornithological details with botanical ones..."). (2)