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Inventory·Natural History·James Ellsworth De Kay

James Ellsworth De Kay

Zoology of New-York, 1842 — Shells and Sealife

James Ellsworth De Kay (1792–1851) was an American naturalist and physician who produced the monumental Zoology of New-York (1842–1844), a comprehensive survey of the fauna of New York State commissioned by the state legislature. The volumes on crustaceans, mollusks, and marine invertebrates are illustrated with finely detailed chromolithographs — printed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott — depicting lobsters, horseshoe crabs, shells, and sealife with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. De Kay's plates are among the finest examples of American natural history illustration of the mid-19th century.

Available Works

Current Inventory

American Lobster — Plate 12
Very Good
Natural History

American Lobster — Plate 12

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$250

A spectacular chromolithograph of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus), Plate 12 from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842). The plate depicts a full dorsal view of the lobster with extraordinary anatomical detail — the great claws, segmented abdomen, and fan-shaped tail rendered with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. An inset figure (Fig. 53) shows a detail of the tail fan. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. One of the most visually striking plates from this landmark state-commissioned natural history survey.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
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Horseshoe Crab — Plate 11
Very Good
Natural History

Horseshoe Crab — Plate 11

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$250

A striking chromolithograph of the Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus), Plate 11 from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842). The plate presents a full dorsal view of the carapace with its distinctive domed prosoma, serrated margins, and long telson spine rendered in rich olive and umber tones. An inset figure (Fig. 51) shows an anatomical detail of the mouth parts. Lithographed by Endicott of New York. A superb example of mid-19th century American natural history illustration from this landmark state-commissioned survey.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Cephalopods — Plate III
Very Good
Natural History

Cephalopods — Plate III

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$250

A striking chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842) depicting cephalopods — squid and related marine invertebrates — rendered with vivid color and scientific exactitude. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Cephalopods — Plate IV
Very Good
Natural History

Cephalopods — Plate IV

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$250

A striking chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842) depicting cephalopods — squid and related marine invertebrates — rendered with vivid color and scientific exactitude. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate V
Very Good
Natural History

Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate V

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$225

A finely detailed chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842), depicting shells and marine invertebrates with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VI
Very Good
Natural History

Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VI

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$225

A finely detailed chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842), depicting shells and marine invertebrates with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VII
Very Good
Natural History

Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VII

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$225

A finely detailed chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842), depicting shells and marine invertebrates with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VIII
Very Good
Natural History

Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VIII

Artist
James Ellsworth De Kay
Date
1842
Medium
Chromolithograph, lithographed by Endicott, New York
Size
Contact for dimensions
Price
$225

A finely detailed chromolithograph from De Kay's Zoology of New-York (1842), depicting shells and marine invertebrates with scientific precision and considerable artistic beauty. Lithographed by the celebrated New York firm of Endicott. From the landmark state-commissioned natural history survey of New York fauna.

Condition: Original chromolithograph colors bright and fresh. Clean impression on period paper.
Inquire / Buy Now

Our inventory changes regularly. If you are looking for a specific work by this artist, please contact us and we will notify you when a matching piece becomes available.

Contact the Gallery

Current Inventory

American Lobster — Plate 12
James Ellsworth De KayAmerican Lobster — Plate 12
Horseshoe Crab — Plate 11
James Ellsworth De KayHorseshoe Crab — Plate 11
Cephalopods — Plate III
James Ellsworth De KayCephalopods — Plate III
Cephalopods — Plate IV
James Ellsworth De KayCephalopods — Plate IV
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate V
James Ellsworth De KayShells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate V
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VI
James Ellsworth De KayShells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VI
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VII
James Ellsworth De KayShells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VII
Shells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VIII
James Ellsworth De KayShells & Marine Invertebrates — Plate VIII
← All Natural History← Inventory
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Carolina Antique Maps & Prints

Specialists in rare antique maps, decorative prints, and works on paper. Serving serious collectors since the 1940's.

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