Shell Images of the Public Domain

We’ve dug up the best shell images on the beach! TofuJoe has hundreds of downloadable 18th and 19th century background-free seashell illustrations.

The Naturalist's Miscellany (1789-1813)

Let’s look at a big book with an equally big title: The Naturalist’s Miscellany, or, Coloured Figures of Natural Objects; Drawn and Described Immediately from Nature. This gigantic treasure chest of newly discovered natural things was written by English botanist and zoologist George Shaw (1751-1813). It contains images of exotic birds, butterflies, corals, shells and fish (some of which may not actually exist) in English and Latin, alongside hand-tinted illustrations in vibrant hues. The Naturalist’s Miscellany was published in monthly installments from 1789-1813 with each month containing 3-4 illustrations.

The drawings were done by Frederick Polydore Nodder and his son Richard. Furthermore, Frederick’s wife Elizabeth collaborated with him in the book’s publishment. Frederick was known for his botanical illustrations, and is introduced in the first edition of the Naturalist’s Miscellany as “Botanic Painter to her Majesty”. He also famously drew the first published illustration of a platypus in 1799.

We love the drawings from this book for their ability to evoke a desire to see these beautiful natural things in real life. They make us want to travel and explore and we think that’s a great feeling to have! Consequently, we’ve put together a collection of 33 background-free shell illustrations from The Naturalist’s Miscellany.

The Naturalist’s Miscellany Shell

The Naturalist's Repository (1823-1827)

If you thought the last book had a long title, wait until you see this one.

The Naturalist’s Repository, or Monthly Miscellany of Exotic Natural History: Consisting of Elegantly Coloured Plates With Appropriate Scientific and General Descriptions of the Most Curious, Scarce, and Beautiful Productions of Nature That Have Been Recently Discovered in Various Parts of the World; and More Especially Such Novelties As From Their Extreme Rarity Remain Entirely Undescribed, or Which Have Not Been Not Been Duly Noted by Any Preceding Naturalists. The Whole Composed According to the Latest Improvements in The Various Departments of the Science, and Forming Collectively a Truly Valuable Compendium of the Most Important Discoveries of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Shells, Marine Productions, and Every Other Interesting Object of Natural History, the Produce of Foreign Climates.

One hundred and sixteen words.

This book was written and illustrated by writer, naturalist and amateur zoologist Edward Donovan (1768-1837). Donovan was born in Ireland, and at 21 he he settled in London and began to illustrate natural history specimens. He never traveled from London, but his interest in exotic animal species lead him to avidly collect specimens obtained from the voyages of explorers. In 1807 he opened the London Museum and Institute of Natural History, a public museum that showcased his extensive collection. He published many books which he illustrated, etched, engraved and hand-colored himself or with a few employees. His precise and beautiful illustrations appealed to both serious naturalists and a general public. Check out a sampling of our Edward Donovan images below.

Conchologia Iconica (1843-1878)

Continuing in the vein of works of epic proportions, we would like to introduce Conchologia Iconica, or, Illustrations of the Shells of Molluscous Animals. This TWENTY volume work was published by Lovell Augustus Reeve (1814-1865) and is a rather impressive work on conchology. The first volume was published in 1843 and the last in 1878.

The drawings were done by illustrator and conchologist George Brettingham Sowerby II (1812-1884) who also took over the project upon Reeve’s death (volumes 15-20). Interestingly, both George’s father and son were named George, and both were illustrator/conchologists as well. The three George Sowerbys are credited for introducing around 5000 taxonomic names for various molluscs. Often the I, II and III are not listed so it difficult to know which George Sowerby is meant in a citation. George’s grandfather James Sowerby was an illustrator too. Learn about his meteorite sword here.

We’ve repaired around 60 drawings from Conchologia Iconica. Hope you enjoyed these beautiful shells!

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