Within Australia
All orders ship freewithin Australia
Rest of the World
Orders over A$300
ship free worldwide
C1841
Phascolomys Wombat. Native of New South Wales.
C19th engraving of a wombat, from The Naturalist’s Library. This series of engravings of Australian mammals, predates Gould’s epic work done in 1863. This is the first issue with fine original hand colouring. First reported sighting February 1797, after the ship Sydney Cove … Read Full Description
$A 110
Free Shipping
See Shipping page for Terms & Conditions
Details
Full Title:
Phascolomys Wombat. Native of New South Wales.
Date:
C1841
Condition:
In good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving with original hand colouring.
Image Size:
155mm
x 95mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1841
Description:
C19th engraving of a wombat, from The Naturalist’s Library. This series of engravings of Australian mammals, predates Gould’s epic work done in 1863. This is the first issue with fine original hand colouring.
First reported sighting February 1797, after the ship Sydney Cove ran aground on Clarke Island in February 1797, the crew of the salvage ship, Francis, discovered wombats on the island. A live animal was taken back to Port Jackson. Governor John Hunter later sent the animal’s corpse to Joseph Banks at the Literary and Philosophical Society to verify that it was a new species.
Naming 26 January 1798
‘We saw several sorts of dung of different animals, one of which Wilson called a Whom-batt, which is an animal about 20 inches high, with short legs and a thick body…’ Bargo, N.S.W. John Price.
First detailed description 25 August 1798 Letter from Hunter to Joseph Banks.
Common names Common Wombat, Naked-nosed Wombat, Coarse-haired Wombat, Island Wombat, Tasmanian Wombat & Forest Wombat.
Modern binomial name Vombatus ursinus
First described Shaw 1800
Distribution SA, VIC, TAS, NSW & QLD.
William Home Lizars (1788 - 1859)
William Home Lizars (1788-1859) Lizars was born at Edinburgh in 1788. He was an artist and engraver, the son of Daniel Lizars, and brother of the surgeon John Lizars. His sister Jean (Jane) Home married Sir William Jardine. His father was a publisher and an engraver and Lizars was apprenticed to his father. He furthered his studies at the Trustees' Academy, Edinburgh. Lizars took over his fathers business on his death. Lizars met J. J. Audubon in Edinburgh in October 1826 and agreed to publish Audubon's, Birds of America. Lizars perfected a method of etching which performed the functions of wood-engraving, for illustration of books. He died in Edinburgh on 30 March 1859, leaving a widow and family. Lizars took an active part in the foundation of the Royal Scottish Academy.
