Background:

These fine hand-colored Fish prints are from the Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle (Dictionary of Natural History) edited by the French naturalist Charles D'Orbigny (1802-1857).  Regarded as one of the best illustrated encyclopedias of natural history, the Dictionary is typical of the books of this period, featuring highly detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations to appeal to both the academic and general public.

Once the print was colored, a gum arabic solution was applied to protect and preserve the hand-coloring.

Where possible we have translated the name of the Fish into English;  otherwise the name is in the original French (in quotations).