Natural History

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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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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Platypus (Ornithorhycnhus Anatinus) – Bertuch 1805

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

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

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