The Natural History of Carolina,
Florida, and the Bahama Islands
Unique 300 year old scientific
drawings at risk of leaving the UK
Arts Minister Helen Whately has placed an export bar on a set of 18th century scientific drawings valued at £2.5 million in an effort to keep them in the UK.
The works contains hand painted depictions of newly introduced plant specimens from all over the world that would have been a revelation at the time.
The two volumes of Mark Catesby’s ‘The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands’ were first published in 1731 and 1743 and contain printed text and hand-coloured etched plates of indigenous plants, birds and animals and owned by Peter Collinson.
Unique to this edition are the high-quality illustrations including watercolours by William Bartram and Georg Ehret - a renowned botanical artist of the time.
Also at risk of export is Collinson's own 'Commonplace Book' which includes 75 original drawings and prints by Catesby, William Bartram, Georg Ehret, and the ‘father of British ornithology’ George Edwards.
The recommendation to place an export bar on the books and keep them in the UK to see if a buyer can be found has been made by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
Committee member Peter Barber said:
"Peter Collinson was a key member of the circle around Sir Hans Sloane the founder of the British Museum, British Library and Natural History Museum. He was himself a figure of European importance and the patron of Mark Catesby, whose Natural History was the most important work of natural history produced in early eighteenth-century Britain.
"The volumes have not previously been easily accessible for research. Retention in this country could lead further light to be shed on relationships within Sir Hans Sloane’s circle."
The decision on granting the export licence will be deferred until 16 April 2020.
Offers or interest from people and public bodies should be directed to the committee 0845 300 6200.
