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C1792
The Porcupine Ant-eater.
Artist:
George Shaw (1751 - 1813)
This is the first engraving of an Echidna. The first sighting and drawing was made on 9th February, 1792 by George Tobin, third lieutenant on Bligh’s second voyage at Adventure Bay. ‘The only animals seen, were the Kangaroo, and a … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
The Porcupine Ant-eater.
Date:
C1792
Artist:
George Shaw (1751 - 1813)
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving with original hand colouring
Image Size:
195mm
x 105mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1792
Description:
This is the first engraving of an Echidna.
The first sighting and drawing was made on 9th February, 1792 by George Tobin, third lieutenant on Bligh’s second voyage at Adventure Bay. ‘The only animals seen, were the Kangaroo, and a kind of sloth about the size of a roasting pig with a proboscis two or three inches in length’ By July 1792 George Shaw had provided the first scientific description and including it among the giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga, of South America. Several other names were proposed and found to be invalid before Illger coined the name Tachyglossus in 1811.
Modern common names Short-beaked Echidna, Echidna, Spiny Anteater or Porcupine.
Shaw’s binomial or synonym Myrmecophaga aculeata
Modern binomial name Tachyglossus aculeatus
First described Shaw 1792
Distribution Australia wide (mainland).
Reference The Mammals of Australia, Strahan, 2nd edition. Page: 39-43, ill. 30-31, 39-43
From Shaw’s, Vivarium naturae or The Naturalists’ miscellany.
The figures drawn by Frederick P. Nodder.
Biography:
Frederick Polydore Nodder (1751-1800)
English natural history artist of plants, animals and fauna. He was botanical artist to Queen Charlotte and also worked for Joseph Banks on the monumental publication of the botanical specimens collected on James Cook’s first voyage. Known as Banks’ Florilegium, it was never printed during Bank’s lifetime.
George Shaw (1751-1813)
English naturalist who was educated at Oxford and took up the profession of medical practitioner. In 1786 he became the assistant lecturer in botany at Oxford University. and was the co-founder with Frederick Nodder of the Linnean Society in 1788. He became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1789. In 1791 Shaw became assistant keeper of the natural history department at the British Museum.
