Clarke, John “Distorta; Rostellaria.” Plate 10.

John Clarke.  Plate 10.  “Distorta; Rostellaria.”  From George Perry’s Conchology, or the Natural History of Shells. 

London: W. Bulmer and Co.,  1811.  Approx. 13 x 9 1/2.  Aquatint by William Miller.  Very good condition. 

A beautifully rendered print from Perry's Conchology.  These are the only prints of shells made by that most elaborate and rich process of aquatinting.  The plates are decorative and inventive pictures of shells colored richly and idiosyncratically.  Though he was criticized in contemporary natural history circles for his apparent whimsy and lack of scientific concern, Perry has since been greatly vindicated.  His Conchology is now considered a serious work and his "absurd" names have become generally accepted.  Whatever the resolution of this scientific debate, the prints were produced with the highest craftsmanship, and are undeniably beautiful.

More shell prints from Perry's Conchology:

Plate 3.  “Monoplex.”

Plate 4.  “Biplex.”

Plate 8.  “Hexaplex.”

Plate 13.  “Strombus.”

Plate 14.  “ Septa.”

Plate 15.  “Helix; Strigula.”

Plate 16.  “Terebra; Aculea.”

Plate 17.  “Voluta.” 

Plate 18.  “Voluta.”

Plate 20.  “Cypraea.”

Plate 21.  “Cypraea.”

Plate 25.  “Conus.”

Plate 27.  “Buccinella.”

Plate 33.  “Cassis.”

Plate 34.  “Cassidea; Nerites.”

Plate 35.  “Cerithium.”

Plate 36.  “Cerithium.”

Plate 37.  “Terebellum; Cymbium.”

Plate 41.  “Oliva.”

Plate 42.  “Argonauta.”

Plate 43.  “Patella.”

Plate 44.  “Haustrum.”

Plate 46.  “Aranea.”

Plate 48.  “Buccinum; Natica.”

Plate 49.  “Turbo.”

Plate 51.  “Trigona; Planorbis; Columna.”

Plate 52.  “Haliotis; Aquiaria; Orthoceras; Dentalia.”

Plate 55.  “Pecten; Tellina.”

Plate 56.  “Pholas; Mya.”

Plate 57.  “Solen; Cardium.”

Plate 58.  “Donax; Venus.”

Plate 60.  “Arca; Ostrea; Anomia.”

Plate 61.  “Mytilus; Pinna.”