Coral Journal — William Saville-Kent 1893 Great Barrier Reef Chromolithograph Scientific Illustration

In 1893, William Saville-Kent (1845–1908) published The Great Barrier Reef of Australia: Its Products and Potentialities — the first comprehensive visual study of a coral reef ecosystem, combining chromolithographic illustrations with photography in a way that was revolutionary for its era. The front cover features CHROMO VII: multiple numbered coral species with branching and massive forms and enlarged polyp views; the back presents CHROMO IX: at least 17 coral species in fan shapes and varied textures, both plates drawn del. et pinx. ad nat. (from nature) and printed by Riddle & Couchman in London, in vivid greens, pinks, yellows, blues, purples, and reds that remain scientifically valuable and visually stunning more than a century later.

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Product Details

• Format: Hardcover journal with matte laminated full-wrap cover
• Pages: 150 lined pages (75 sheets) with perforations for easy removal
• Binding: Casewrap sewn binding — flexible and lay-flat
• Dimensions: 5.75 × 8 inches
• Weight: 250 g (0.55 lbs)
• Cover: Matte laminated full-wrap print; small 0.5" × 0.5" production barcode on back

Perfect For

• Marine biologists documenting coral reef research and underwater observations
• Scientific illustration enthusiasts celebrating Victorian natural history chromolithography
• Great Barrier Reef admirers honouring Saville-Kent's pioneering marine documentation
• Divers and snorkelers recording reef encounters and coral species identification
• Gift for ocean lovers, marine science students, and conservation advocates
• Natural history collectors appreciating 19th-century scientific artistry and exploration legacy