Nature's Palatte

Marking the 200th anniversary of the publication of Syme's expanded edition of Werner's Nomenclature of Colors (1821), this lavish volume takes Syme's field guide of 110 standard colors and – for the first time – fully illustrates it with nineteenth-century depictions of his referenced species. Expert text explains the uses and development of color standards in relation to zoology, botany, minerology and anatomy, while specimens from contemporary collector's cabinets (birds, butterflies, eggs, flowers and minerals) are matched to each color swatch. Syme's groundbreaking guide attempted to establish a universal color reference system to help identify, classify and represent species from the natural world: this landmark publication completes his endeavour.