Natural History

Two-Horned Black Rhino – Shaw and Nodder – 1800

The now critically endangered African Black Rhino. Between 1960 and 1995 the population of the species dropped 98% to just 2,500. Since then it has recovered but only to an estimated 5,000. Recently made the news when seven black rhino’s died in an attempt to resettle them from Nairobi to Tsauo East National Park … due two human negligence .. one anonymous source said they given salt water to drink!

Copper engraved and hand coloured by Shaw & Nodder and published in London in 1800 (date engraved in the plate). Shaw was in charge of the Natural History Department at the British Museum. Nodder was an artist who worked for Banks on his Florilegium.

Price unframed $80.00 or $180.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style in black cored cream mat within gilt frame. Ready to hang in your study. Great finished gift for the naturally caring.

Critically endangered Rhino – let’s save him!

$80.00

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Tasmanian Ground Parrot – Greene – 1884

Original wood cut hand finished engraving of the shy Tasmanian Ground Parrot or Green Ground Parrot from Parrots in Captivity published in London in 1884.

A beautifully patterned Ground Parrot of medium size, bright green with black and yellow markings and a pale yellow wing bar. It has a small red band on the lower forehead.

A secretive bird found in the west of Tasmania, where it prefers buttongrass and open heathlands.Not usually seen unless flushed out from cover. Although it also occurs on mainland Australia, it is now only found there in fragmented populations due to disturbed habitats. the bird constructs a shallow nest of fine sticks and grass hidden under low shrubs. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young. She is fed by the male who also feeds the young when they hatch.

Greene’s delightful work comprising wood-engraved plates printed by Benjamin Fawcett after drawings by A.F. Lydon. The prints are hand finished with delicate highlighting in gum arabic to accentuate the bright colouring.

Benjamin Fawcett was one of the great colour printers of the 19th century. He pioneered a system of wood block engraving from multiple blocks that resulted in vivid finely coloured works. Fawcett had an association of some 50 years with Francis Orpen Morris to produce many beautiful works on birds. The engravings are the finest illustrations of parrots from the period.

Pricing structure … the prints alone $120.00, matted as shown $135.00 or framed in gilt $290.00 ready to hang. Just let us know which option … default is matted only

Rare 19th Century print of the Tasmanian Ground Parrot

$120.00

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The Platypus – Unusual Cigarette Cards by W.D. & H.O. Wills – c1910

Three cigarette cards from the “Animalloys”” series from the early 20th Century. An “un-natural” history series this being one of 16 animals all in three sections … the Platypus.

It is suggested that by mixing the sections you can produce a large number of strange creatures with amusing names.

I our case we only need the three to have our strange curiously named beauty!

Unusual, rather unique and rare Platypus image.

$20.00

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Western Whipbird (Psophodes Nigrogularis) John Gould – Birds of Australia 1840

Original hand-coloured lithograph (from stone) from Gould’s major work “Birds of Australia” of the Western Whipbird, sometimes referred to as the Black-throated Psophodes.

This work executed by Gould and Richter and completed in London 1840 -1848. At the time only one specimen of the bird had been collected (a male). Gould in his narrative states that we are indebted to Mr Gilbert for the then knowledge. Gilbert had come across it in the Wongan Hills which are placed about 150km of Perth. The image presented by Gould show the bird in its natural size.

Not the subspecies Psophodes Nigrogularis is now considered endangered with only a small group left in a patch to the east of Albany.

Nicely executed Gould Original

$340.00

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Australian – Blue Bonnet Parrakeet – Greene – 1884

Original wood cut hand finished engraving of the multicoloured Bluebonnet Parrot from “Parrots in Captivity”, published in London 1884.

The Bluebonnets inhabit the south and central interior, they are quite plentiful and thankfully not popular as cage birds. Even at the time of this image they were considered too aggressive for captivity. Tough little guys.

Greene’s delightful work comprising wood-engraved plates printed by Benjamin Fawcett after drawings by A.F. Lydon. The prints are hand finished with delicate highlighting in gum arabic to accentuate the bright colouring.

Benjamin Fawcett was one of the great colour printers of the 19th century. He pioneered a system of wood block engraving from multiple blocks that resulted in vivid finely coloured works. Fawcett had an association of some 50 years with Francis Orpen Morris to produce many beautiful works on birds. The engravings are the finest illustrations of parrots from the period.

Price $140.00unframe or $260.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style.

Blue Bonnet in all his glory … click on me to see my beauty!

$140.00

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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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Two-Horned Black Rhino – Shaw and Nodder – 1800

Tasmanian Ground Parrot – Greene – 1884

The Platypus – Unusual Cigarette Cards by W.D. & H.O. Wills – c1910

Western Whipbird (Psophodes Nigrogularis) John Gould – Birds of Australia 1840

Australian – Blue Bonnet Parrakeet – Greene – 1884

Zebra – George Edwards – 1744

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