Prints and Photographs and Bookplates

Capture of the Mahonesa – Original Hand Coloured Aquatint – Whitcombe 1816

An original hand coloured aquatint by Sutherland after a painting by Thomas Whitcombe (1763-1824) a leading British maritime artist. Published at 48 The Strand, London, 1st November 1816 for Jenkins’s “The Naval Achievements of Great Britain”; surely the greatest ever naval illustrated work.

Printed on thick Whatman paper measuring 30 cm by 21.5 cm with wide borders. Some ghosting from a previous mount as can be seen from the image. Reflected in the price … a desirable collectable naval item.

The action took place on 13th October 1796 off the coast of Spain near Cartgeria. The 22 gun frigate HMS Tepsichore, under Captain Richard Bowen had been shadowing the Spanish fleet. On his return to Lisbon he encountered the Mahonesa under Captain Ayalde. The Spanish offered “battle” and Bowen accepted and won the Mahonesa with little loss on his side. He took his prize to Lisbon but unfortunately had caused so much damage to the ship that it was considered worthless as a prize. This was the first encounter of the Anglo-Spanish War which was to last a further eight years.

Price $190.00 unframed … ask for framing options if you wish.

Thomas Whitcombe exhibited at the Royal Academy (56 times), the British Institution and the Royal Society of British Artists. Many of his paintings of naval engagements are in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

$190.00

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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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Fine Original Aquatint – Riviere de Bezouki (Java Indonesia) – Lauvergne from “La Favorite” – 1835

An original aquatint by Barthelemy Lauvergne (1805-1875) of the River Bezouki, Java Indonesia .

Executed on India-laid paper being plate number 60 from “Voyage Autour du Monde par les Mers de l’Inde et de la Chine de la corvette de sa Majeste La Favorite execute pendant les annees 1830,1831,1832 sous le commandement de M. Laplace” published in Paris in 1835 under the direction of Louise Auguste de Sainson.

Plate size 28.8 x 38.2 cm. Included in the National Collection as part of the Rex Nan Kivell bequest NK685

Some foxing as usual to the outer margins, the printed image really rather clean with a strong deep image.

Price unframed $140.00 … ask about framing options if you wish.

$120.00

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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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Capture of the Mahonesa – Original Hand Coloured Aquatint – Whitcombe 1816

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

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

Fine Original Aquatint – Riviere de Bezouki (Java Indonesia) – Lauvergne from “La Favorite” – 1835

Australian – Blue Bonnet Parrakeet – Greene – 1884

Zebra – George Edwards – 1744

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