Prahran: Hardie Grant Books, 2009. Small quarto, colour illustrations, lengthy biro inscription, otherwise a fine copy in dustwrapper.

An astonishing visual record of the exploration of parts of the natural world that had never previously been documented. It features many of the greatest natural history artists of the last 300 years - Merian, Bartram, Ehret, the Bauer brothers, Audubon and Gould. Some were seeking fame as scientists or artists, others sought financial gain or at least the prospect of earning a living in what they loved doing. For some it also provided the opportunity to present their view of nature to a wider community. Continent by continent, Judith Magee draws on the unrivalled collections of the Library of the Natural History Museum to illustrate the development of natural history art through the centuries and its crucial role in furthering people's appreciation of nature all around the world.