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Watercolor of a full-grown and a smaller shrew on thick card-board, likely used as a book illustration, signed J. Carter Beard in the bottom right of image. 10x15" overall.

Beard (1837-1913) served in the American Civil War before turning to art and writing. He is best known as a book illustrator, mostly in the field of natural history, plant and animal life. Many of his works appeared in encyclopedias and other references. Captioned in black ink on bottom margin: "American giant shrew 4 inches and a quarter from nose to root of tail." Artist's rubberstamp still faintly showing on verso.