Natural History

Zebra – George Edwards – 1744

An original hand coloured copper engraving of a Zebra by the great George Edwards (1694-1773). Described as … “Drawn from a stuff’d skin in the Royal College of Physicians, London”

A rare and collectable engraving.

George Edwards (1694-1773) was born in Essex, and after schooling went to London where he had access to a large scientific library. At the age of 20 he decided to travel studying natural history and he did this for quite a few years and developed a great a talent for illustration. In 1733 he settled down and was chosen as the Librarian to the Royal College of Physicians. He knew Linnaeus and Catesby (who produced a great work on American birds). Edwards work is dominated by birds which he became particularly famous for.

This Zebra was published as part of a broader work on Natural History in 1744 and as we can surmise arose specifically from his role at the Royal College of Physicians.

Framed in Voyager Natural History style in cream mat with black core and soft (reddish) gilt frame … beautiful ready to hang.

Very early image from distinguished engraver.

$290.00

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Javan or Sunda Rhinoceros (Sadly, now critically endangered) – Lesson – 1838

Original hand coloured engraving by Antoine Charles Vauthier. Good strong example. Produced for Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849) for his extension of the great natural history work originally produced by Count Buffon.

Published in Paris in 1838.

Lesson participated as doctor and naturalist in the Duperry voyage round the world on board La Coquille (1822-1825).

Price $190.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style in cream mat with black core in gilt frame … lovely … ready to hang

Endangered species beautifully engraved in 1838

$190.00

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Red Kangaroo – Lesson – 1838

Original hand coloured copper engraving of the Red Kangaroo produced for Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849) for his extension of the great natural history work originally produced by Count Buffon. They were published in Paris in 1838. Lesson participated as doctor and naturalist in the Duperry voyage round the world on board La Coquille (1822-1825).

The Red Kangaroo is Australia’s largest kangaroo, largest mammal and the world’s largest living marsupial. It inhabits the whole of the central area of Australia avoiding only the fertile regions around the coast.

Price $270.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style in cream mat with black core in gilt frame … really nice and ready to hang.

The big Red Kangaroo in a fairly contemplative pose.

$240.00

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Bowhead Whale (Balaena Borealis) – Lesson – 1838

Original hand coloured copper engraving of the Bowhead Whale produced for Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849) for his extension of the great natural history work originally produced by Count Buffon. They were published in Paris in 1838. Lesson participated as doctor and naturalist in the Duperry voyage round the world on board La Coquille (1822-1825).

The Bowhead inhabit northerly waters and is also known as the Greenland Whale, Russian Whale and now classified Balaena Mysticestus. Much of our early understanding of this magnificent animal came from the voyages of William Scoresby. The classification Balaena Borealis was given by Lesson. The Bowhead has the biggest mouth of any animal hence Bowhead.

Price $180.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style in cream mat with black core and gilt frame … superb ready to hang

Special early image of the large Bowhead Whale blowing

$180.00

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Platypus (Ornithorhycnhus Anatinus) – Bertuch 1805

An original copper engraving of the Platypus – one of the earliest and most charming. By Bertuch published in Germany c1805.

A platypus pelt was sent to England in 1798 by Governor Captain John Hunter. To the great George Shaw FRS who produced the first full description and from drawings of that skin this nice engraving was derived. Shaw surmised it “was impossible not to entertain doubts as to its genuine nature” and Robert Knox said it was a fraud by an Asian taxidermist.

This Platypus is small in scale 14 cm long and we frame this item in our natural history style in reddish gilt frame, with cream mat and black core UV glass. This example is clean and bright …the engraving is a stipple technique which creates texture a great illusion of the platypus fur.

Very early and rather cute Platypus … you just have to click on me to see that cuteness!

$230.00

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Mon Voyage Aux Terres Australes – Journal Personnel du Commandant Baudin illustre par Lesueur et Petit

A special book, in the French language, published by Imprimerie Nationale, Paris in the year 2000. Large octavo, 467 pages original illustrated softcover. Very high standard of colour illustration.

Illustrations include 2 sketch plans, 2 maps, 4 charts and 10 facsimiles of original manuscripts, plus 96 colour plates with 195 illustrations – including 5 insects, 5 animals, 96 fish and marine animals, many relating to Australia. Also some views and many coastal views and 10 magnificent portraits of aboriginals. Very good near fine condition.

The journal of Baudin commences in March 1800 at Le Harve. Baudin had been given command of an expedition to map the South West and South coast of Australia. He had two ships, Geographie and Naturaliste the latter captained by Hamelin. They had a total of nine naturalists on board. By May 1801 they has reached the West Coast of New Holland. Moving east they famously met Flinders at Encounter Bay. They sailed to Sydney and down to Van Diemen’s Land and reached the d’Entrecasteaux Channel and then Maria Island by November 1801. It is claimed that more than 2,500 new species were discovered on the voyage.

Incidentally, it is now claimed that naturalist Francois Peron later wrote a report for Napoleon on ways to invade and capture the British Colony at Sydney Cove.

Even if you have limited French this book is worthwhile for the magnificence of the illustrations.

Baudin his Journal in French as it should be …

$80.00

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Zebra – George Edwards – 1744

Javan or Sunda Rhinoceros (Sadly, now critically endangered) – Lesson – 1838

Red Kangaroo – Lesson – 1838

Bowhead Whale (Balaena Borealis) – Lesson – 1838

Platypus (Ornithorhycnhus Anatinus) – Bertuch 1805

Mon Voyage Aux Terres Australes – Journal Personnel du Commandant Baudin illustre par Lesueur et Petit

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