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C1867
The Tasmanian Wombat. Phascolomys Wombat.
Artist:
Rare lithograph of the Tasmanian Wombat by Joseph Wolf from the series commissioned by the Council of the Zoological Society in 1852 with the aim of providing, ‘accurate artistic record of the living form and expression of the many rare … Read Full Description
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S/N: ZSBJW-ANI-AA-002-BM204–194831
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Details
Full Title:
The Tasmanian Wombat. Phascolomys Wombat.
Date:
C1867
Artist:
Engraver:
John Smit
(1836 –
1929)
Condition:
In good condition, laid on support sheet as issued.
Technique:
Lithograph, with original hand colouring.
Image Size:
325mm
x 230mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1867
Description:
Rare lithograph of the Tasmanian Wombat by Joseph Wolf from the series commissioned by the Council of the Zoological Society in 1852 with the aim of providing, ‘accurate artistic record of the living form and expression of the many rare species of animals which exist from time to time in the menagerie’.
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:Â Common Wombat, Naked-nosed Wombat, Coarse-haired Wombat, Island Wombat, Tasmanian Wombat & Forest Wombat.
Modern binomial name:Â Vombatus ursinus
First described:Â Shaw 1800
Distribution:Â SA, VIC, TAS, NSW & QLD.
From, J.Wolf, Zoological Sketches made for the Zoological Society of London, from animals in their vivarium in the Regent’s Park .
References:
Sitwell, S. Fine Bird Books 1700-1900. New York 1990 :: p.158.
Olsen, P. Upside Down World. Canberra 210 :: p.79.
Anker, J. Bird Books and Bird Art. Amsterdam 1979: 539; BM(NH) V..
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3097647
Sitwell, S. Fine Bird Books 1700-1900. New York 1990 :: p.158.
Olsen, P. Upside Down World. Canberra 210 :: p.79.
Anker, J. Bird Books and Bird Art. Amsterdam 1979: 539; BM(NH) V..
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3097647
Josef Wolf (1820 - 1899)
Born and educated in Prussia, Wolf was apprenticed to a lithographer at the age of sixteen, but after three years he returned home to work on a series of small, detailed bird drawings. This album of drawings brought Wolf recognition from book editors and museums in Frankfurt and Darmstadt. After working as an illustrator on commission, Wolf enrolled at the Antwerp Academy in 1847 to study painting. In 1848, he moved to London where he soon established himself among the leading naturalists and wildlife artists. In 1856, Gould and Wolf traveled together through Norway to study and sketch birds including ptarmigans, golden eagles, and ospreys. Gould included Wolf's depictions of game and water birds and birds of prey in his, The Birds of Great Britain (1862-1873). Among Wolf's other great achievements were his illustrations for the London Zoological Society's The Zoological Sketches (1856-67) and D.G. Elliot's The Life and Habits of Wild Animals (1874). Wolf became the most famous ornithological artist during his time.
