Natural History in the Royal Library

Our changing relationship with the natural world, from Tudor to Victorian times

MARK CATESBY (1682-1749)

The Natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. Vol. I.

1731

RCIN 1085716

In the early eighteenth century, Mark Catesby went on two expeditions to North America in order to observe and document the wildlife there. This unique copy of Catesby’s book on the subject contained his original watercolours. In order to hold all of the pictures, the work was expanded from the original two volumes to three. It was bought by George III for his library in 1768.


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