Mark Catesby (British/American, 1683-1749) "The Blue Jay" (The Crested Jay) on The Bay-Leaved Smilax Plant.Included is the original sheet of text from the folio describing The Blue Jay. Already cut in half when the folio was acquired by the present owner. A hand-colored copper plate engraving from Catesby's "The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands" - one of the most famous original color-plate books illustrating American plant and animal life forms created during the colonial period of America. Catesby's work is considered by many as the most significant work of American natural history prior to Audubon's "Birds of America".Note: This collection of Catesby engravings came to the present owner in a cardboard sleeve approximately 50 years ago. These prints have not been exposed to light until recently matted.
Dimensions: Sheet: 14" x 21". Plate: 10" x 13.75". Mat: 15.5" x 21.5"
Property from a Manhattan collection.

Losses, creases and staining to outer edges, a couple foxing stains, bright strong colors, hinged.