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The works featured in Natural Histories span from the 16th century to the early 20th century, with scientific disciplines ranging from anthropology to astronomy to zoology. The edition is packaged with 40 extraordinary, suitable-for-framing prints representing each essay.

“In the days before photography and printing, original art was the only way to capture the likeness of organisms, people, and places, and therefore the only way to share this information with others,” said Tom Baione, the Harold Boeschenstein Director of Library Services at the Museum. “Printed reproductions of natural history art enabled many who’d never seen an elephant, for instance, to try to begin to understand what an elephant looked like and how its unusual features might function.”

Watch this video interview with Library Director Tom Baione, below, and for more information see the full press release.

(via New Book Highlights Rare Scientific Works)

For more images check out http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/11/27/natural-histories/

I loved finding this book on my shelves last fall. Check out our review of the book!