Antique Engravings of an Australian Kangaroo and a Vari of Madagascar, c.1780

The title 'Quadrupede Nomme Kanguroo, Trouve sur la Cote de la N'le Hollande' refers to an uncolored engraving depicting a Kangaroo, originally found and described during Captain Cook's first voyage, later rendered by George Stubbs in the English account. This French version offers a portrayal of the Kangaroo encountered on the coast of New Holland (Australia) during that expedition. The Kangaroo illustration, an integral part of the narrative from Cook's exploration, became renowned due to its significance in the documentation of newly discovered fauna. George Stubbs, a celebrated artist, interpreted and immortalized this image in the English account of Cook's voyage. This uncolored engraving presents a historical representation of the Kangaroo, an iconic symbol of Australia's unique wildlife, as observed and documented during a pivotal period of exploration. The illustration stands as a testament to the scientific curiosity and documentation prevalent during early voyages of discovery, contributing to the understanding and documentation of the natural world in the 18th century. The print is in good condition, considering its age, but does have a few slightly visible vertical creases and some soiling. Nevertheless a very representable print of a few hunderd years old (1744). Description: This engraving is based on the first illustration of a “Kangaroo” an Australian species, drawn by George Stubbs from a specimen collected at Endeavour River in 1770 by James Cook’s crew while the Endeavour was being careened and issued in the official accounts of the voyage of the Endeavour. This iconic image captured the public’s imagination for over sixty years and was the first depiction of any Australian animal in western art. Confusion exists as to the original species described, based on the specimens brought back by Cook and the subsequent painting by Stubbs. This situation arose in the comparisons of drawings and photographs which are the only records of the lost original specimens, with Parkinson’s sketch made on 23rd June 1770 at Endeavour River and the later Stubbs painting...

Pair of Antique Zoological Engravings – Exotic Mammals, c.1830 This rare matched pair of early nineteenth-century zoological engravings presents exotic mammals as they were understo...

Well presented in a simple mahogany frame and cream mount On wove.

This originally hand-colored engraving is from Georges Louis Leclerc comte de Buffon's Oeuvres complètes de Buffon. Nouvelle édition annotée et pr...