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Mark Catesby (British, 1683-1749), “Flying Squirrel”, a hand colored copper plate engraving on fine laid paper, Plate 77, Volume II. London: printed for Benjamin White, 1771 (Third Edition). A remarkable image from Catesby’s “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands” – one of the most famous color-plate books illustrating American plant and animal life forms, an original work for the study of various American species. An important work on paper from the most impressive illustrated study of natural history created during the colonial period of America. Indeed many regard Catesby’s work as the most significant work of American natural history prior to Audubon’s “Birds of America”! Size: plate measures 13.625″ L x 10.125″ W (34.6 cm x 25.7 cm); sheet measures 20.125″ L x 14.5″ W (51.1 cm x 36.8 cm)
The southern flying squirrel is generally found in forests of deciduous trees in eastern North America; on occasion one can find this species in Mexico and parts of South America. These endearing creatures are petite, agile animals that possess a unique membrane called a patagium connecting the front and hind legs. This enables them to glide very long distances.
Catesby trained as a botanist, and in 1712 traveled to Virginia where he resided for seven years, all the while sending collections of seeds and plants to London. Encouraged by Sir Hans Sloane and other experts, Catesby returned to America in 1722 where he travelled extensively throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and the Bahamas, gathering specimens for his “Natural History”. In the preface of his book, Catesby describes his process, including his important decision to study with Joseph Groupy so that he could learn how to engrave his plates in order to guarantee accuracy.
Cf. Anker 95; cf. Clark I:55; cf. Dunthorne 72; cf. Fine Bird Books (1990), p. 86; cf. Great Flowers Books (1990), p. 85; cf. Meisel III:340; cf. Nissen BBI 336, IVB 177; cf. Sabin 11509; cf. Stafleu & Cowan TL2 1057; cf. Wood p. 282; cf. Amy Meyers and Margaret Pritchard, Empire’s Nature, Mark Catesby’s New World Vision, Williamsburg, 1998.
Condition: Excellent condition. Strong plate mark. Normal toning to paper. Small stain at upper right. Tape at edge of upper border. Small losses to edges of sheet and creases to margins with a faint one at the middle. Still, very good as an 18th century colonial work.
Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
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