Shells

Artist or Author: George Brettingham Sowerby

Work: The Conchological Illustrations

Date of Publication: 1832-1841

Style: Originally Hand-colored Engraving

Paper Size: ~ 5 1/4" by 8 1/4"

Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. A previous owner pencilled the number faintly in the upper right corner. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work:

This rare, originally hand-colored shell engraving is from George Brettingham Sowerby's The Conchological Illustrations. The work was published by G. B. Sowerby in London between 1832 and 1841.

The images were drawn by Sowerby and were predominantly based on the specimens of Hugh Cuming. “The 1,500 figures contained in the work, represent 1,000 new species and varieties of 21 different Genera, and include all the species of Cypraea, Chilina, Neritina, Margarita, Eulima, and Typhis.” (From the Introduction) Many of the shells in the work were from Australian or Pacific waters, including Aspergillum, Ilba found on Kangaroo Island, the Myochama from New South Wales, the Nautilus, and the Stomatia.

"The study of shells… presents a fund of intellectual gratification, to many who cannot follow it beyond the cabinet and boudoir. They may examine, with admiration and moral improvement, the beautiful colouring and exquisite architecture of these wonders of the deep…" (Introduction)

George Brettingham Sowerby (1788-1854) was a British naturalist, illustrator, and conchologist. He was the son of the noted naturalist, James Sowerby. He was only twenty years old when, with his father’s assistance, he brought out the first number of The Conchological Illustrations. When it was completed, nine years later, this valuable work contained 200 steel engraved plates.” (Dance. Hist. of Shell Collecting p. 116)