(British/Georgia, 1751-1840)Indian Hen (Green Heron), No. 81, circa 1790, Abbot notes: "Is a summer bird that also builds here, making its nest of sticks in a bush, eggs of a round shape, of a pale blue green", watercolor and graphite on laidÿ paper affixed to Chetham Library's volume, bordered paper, original page 11-1/4 x 8-3/4 in., volume page 16-1/8 x 12 in.; gilt wood frame, 17 x 12-7/8 in.Note: This work by John Abbot comes from a bound copy that was purchased by Chetham's Library (London) in 1792. John Francillon, the artist's agent, was able to sell large groups and single works of art that Abbot painted and drew over the course of his long career.ÿThe vast majority were sent to England where the art and science of classification were well established. Abbot's correspondence shows us that he was also sendingÿspecimensÿto collectors and societies of naturalists.ÿÿWhileÿJohn Abbot does not share the universal name recognition of his contemporaries, John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson, it is certainly not because he is a lesser talent nor was he any less enthusiastic about the flying and crawling creatures that were his primary subjects. He created his meticulous paintings and drawings for a devoted circle of collectors and produced thousands of works in his lifetime - often replicating those that were requested by more than one collector.ÿ While volumes of his work were not published during his lifetime, Abbotÿwas pivotal in disseminating information about the birds, moths and insects of his adopted landscape of Virginia and Georgia.ÿ He was born and trained in England, but arrived on colonialÿshores on theÿeve of the Revolution in 1773 and madeÿGeorgia his home and remained until his death in 1840.This lot is accompanied by copies of Abbot's notes, the receipt fromÿIbarcord Group Fine Arts and the text for the exhibition monograph, John Abbot of Georgia: The Vision of a Naturalist Artist (1751-Circa 1840),ÿMadison Morgan Cultural Center, Madison, Georgia, September 25-December 31, 1983ÿand a copy of the catalog entry from the Christie?s New York catalog.ÿ; Provenance: Collection of artist; John Leigh Philips, 1761-1814, Manchester; John Radcliffe, a proprietor and librarian of Chetham Library; Chetham Library, Manchester; Christie's, New York, October 1, 1980, (four volumes); Andrew Crawley, Director, Ibarcord Group Fine Arts (accompanied by a copy of the original receipt); The Estate of William N. Banks, Jr., Newnan, Georgia light toning and fading, foxing upper right, album page with handling grime, toning; frame with abrasions