Natural History

Eyed Hawk Moth and White Sating Moth – Hand Coloured Engraving – Moses Harris – 1840

A rare and desirable hand coloured engraving from The Aurelian by Moses Harris. From the final issue 1840 and considered special for the brilliance of the hand colouring and the thick Whatman paper.

Moses Harris (1731-1785) was a brilliant engraver and entomologist. His first work though was the “Natural System of Colours” where he examined colour theory introduced by Isaac Newton. The Aurelian was his masterpiece and it’s believed he spent many years researching his subject and honing his engraving skills before it was completed. He drew from live specimens showing in each plate the dorsal and ventral view of his subject, together with the various stages of development – egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and their preferred food. This first issue was in 1766 and the full title “The Aurelian: or, Natural History of English Insects; namely Moths and Butterflies. Together with the plants on which they feed and their standard names, as given and established by the Society of Aurelians. Drawn, engraved and coloured, from the natural Subjects themselves. Moses Harris”

In all there were 45 hand coloured plates. The work was reissued in 1778,1794 and in 1840. A handful of the early copies exist.

Here we have Plate XVII, dedicated to the Honourable Thomas Townshend and shows the Eyed Hawk moth and the White Sating Moth together likely because of their common eating habits. Very good condition with nice colouring enhanced with gum arabic. Very clean and a verygood example of a rare and desirable item. Engraved border approximately 30cm by 23cm.

Moses Harris sought after Moths and Butterflies

$190.00

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Rufous-bellied Pteruthius (Pteruthius Rufiventer) John Gould – The Birds of Asia

Original hand-coloured lithograph from Gould’s impressive “Birds of Asia” completed and published in London in 1856.

Executed by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter. Beautifully colouring and with gum Arabic highlights to the back, tail and eyes of the bird to give extra depth and contrast. A very good near fine example with the attendant descriptive page.

The now common name of the bird is the Black-headed Shrike-Babbler. At the time of this lithograph it had recently been discovered and named as a new species by Mr Blyth of Calcutta, India. He is still given that accolade. It was thought to be uncommon whilst it is found from Eastern Nepal through to Vietnam.

Price $390.00 unframed

Quality original John Gould Lithograph

$360.00

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Falco Pygargus the Hen-Harrier by Susemihl c1800

Original and striking hand-coloured copper engraving of a young female Hen Harrier by Johann Conrad Susemihl (1767-1847).
Published in Darmmstadt as part of a progressive work “Teutsche Ornithologie oder Naturgeschichte … between 1797 and 1810.

The execution of this massive work was a family affair with Johann being assisted by his children Eduard and Emilie and his brother Johann Theodor. The superior quality and scale of these engravings makes them highly sought after.

Paper size 50cm by 34cm … the engraved impression is 34cm by 25cm …

Price $190.00 unframed … enquire about framing options if you wish … click on me to see me all!

The beautiful dignified Harrier by Susemihl

$160.00

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Incidents of a Collector’s Rambles in Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea – Sherman Denton 1889

Published by Lee and Shepard, Boston 1889. 272 pages with 13 plates and numerous text illustrations.

Original cloth covered binding. A pretty good copy.

Travels through New Zealand then to Australia (Victoria, Melbourne, Brisbane, trip through Queensland to Townsville) then to New Guinea, beginning at Port Moresby and moving inland.

A well illustrated and interesting account of the tour of a family devoted to natural history. Good New Guinea and Queensland content. Early note of the extremely unusual and primitive Mary River Lung Fish (The Jumping Fish).

Scarce Australian, Papua New Guinea item and a favourite of Voyager

$80.00

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Primal Places – Tasmania Chris Bell – Signed – Only Edition 2002

Quite scarce and sought after published by Laurel Press, Hobart 2002.

Landscape quarto 104 pages with 60 striking colour photographic images with good text based on the photographer’s field notes. A quality book. Signed discretely on the half title.

Sought after images and signed

$70.00

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Rhingia Campestris (Snout Fly) – Whole Insect Slide 19thC

The Snout or Hover Fly is common in the Paleartic region at certain times of the year. It has a very long “snout”’ which allows it to get at pollen that other insects cannot reach. A good 19th century whole insect slide with a good example of the aforementioned snout

Nice whole Northern Hemisphere insect slide

$50.00

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Eyed Hawk Moth and White Sating Moth – Hand Coloured Engraving – Moses Harris – 1840

Rufous-bellied Pteruthius (Pteruthius Rufiventer) John Gould – The Birds of Asia

Falco Pygargus the Hen-Harrier by Susemihl c1800

Incidents of a Collector’s Rambles in Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea – Sherman Denton 1889

Primal Places – Tasmania Chris Bell – Signed – Only Edition 2002

Rhingia Campestris (Snout Fly) – Whole Insect Slide 19thC

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