C1789

Vulpine Opossum.

Artist:

$A 195

Rare c.18th hand coloured engraving of the Common Brushtail Possum, based on drawings sent from Sydney Cove in 1788. This engraving was issued with two different titles, in the first issue it was, Wulpine and in this second issue with Vulpine. … Read Full Description

Add to Cart

In stock

S/N: VTBB-ANI-AA-150–221360

(B009)

Categories: Australian – General, PRINTS & PHOTOGRAPHS, ANIMALS

Within Australia

All orders free shipping

Rest of the World

Orders over A$300 ship free worldwide

Details

Full Title:

Vulpine Opossum.

Date:

C1789

Artist:

John Latham (1740 - 1837)

Condition:

In good condition.

Technique:

Hand coloured copper engraving.

Image Size:

180mm

x 260mm

Paper Size:

224mm

x 300mm

Genuine antique
dated:

1789

Description:

Rare c.18th hand coloured engraving of the Common Brushtail Possum, based on drawings sent from Sydney Cove in 1788.

This engraving was issued with two different titles, in the first issue it was, Wulpine and in this second issue with Vulpine.

Common name: Common Brushtail Possum, Silvery-grey Possum, Brushtail Possum
Modern binomial name: Trichosurus vulpecula
First described: Kerr, 1792
Distribution: Australia wide

From: Phillip, A. The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay with an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island; compiled from Authentic Papers, which have been obtained from the several Departments to which are added the Journals of Lieuts. Shortland, Watts, Ball and Capt. Marshall with an Account of their New Discoveries,….. London.

Collections:
British Library: Shelfmark: C.47.i.10
National Gallery Australia: NGA 2012.1466
National Library Australia: Bib ID 1165394
Royal Collection Trust: RCIN 1142204
Silent World: SF000022
State Library NSW: D Q78/26
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 994.02 P54V

References:
Crittenden, V. A Bibliography Of The First Fleet. ACT 1982 : 180
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976: 47
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 :. 1346
McCormick, T. First Views of Australia 1788-1825. Sydney: 1987
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987: pp.59-64, pp.127-128, p.345-5, ill. p.63

John Latham (1740 - 1837)

Latham is considered to be the Father of Australian Ornithology for the scientific descriptions he provided for birds sent from the convict colony of Sydney Cove in 1788. He studied anatomy under the surgeon John Hunter and after practicing medicine and making his fortune he retired from practice in 1796 devoting his life to ornithology. He became the leading English ornithologist of his day, a time that coincided with the discovery of Australia's east coast by James Cook and the establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay. Ann Latham (1772-1835) Ann was John Latham's daughter, and she assisted her father in painting birds, mammals and butterflies for her father. She also recorded the first Australian bird species sent to London. The watercolours were made before her marriage in 1795 to a surgeon in Winchester. After 1795 Ann stopped helping her father.

View other items by John Latham