Natural History

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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Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist – Frank Chapman – First edition 1908

A first edition, large octavo, 432 pages heavily illustrated as from black and white photographs. Published by Appleton, New York in 1908 a first edition. Good condition with the striking flamingo cover albeit with some pock marks to the fore and bottom edge. Internally nice, clean and tight.

Ornithology and travel have gone hand in hand since bird watching was invented and in this book travel around the greater North America has equal status with some rare feathery friends.

Frank Chapman was curator of ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History and a Fellow of everything relevant. After checking out Jays, Meadowlarks and Nighthawks near to home the party visit Gardiner’s and Cobb’s Islands on the Atlantic Coast. Then to Florida and Pelican Island … the Great Blue Heron, Water Turkey, Egret and the Cuthbert Rookery. A nice trip to the Bahama and the striking Flamingo, Egg Birds and the Booby and Man-o-War bird. Off to the west and the prairie birdlife, California and the Sierras before reaching north to Western Canada and the White Pelican’s. An unusual finale in England and stroking the Eider Duck.

Birds and getting around them done in style early 20thC.

$120.00

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

Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist – Frank Chapman – First edition 1908

Zebra – George Edwards – 1744

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

Red Kangaroo – Lesson – 1838

Bowhead Whale (Balaena Borealis) – Lesson – 1838

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