Casuarius Australis. Casuarius Galeatus. Antique print: Emu, Cassowary c1808.

by Shaw, George

Antique print of Australian Emu and Australian Cassowary c1808.

Original copperplate engraving by Eastgate for General Zoology or Systematic Natural History by George Shaw, M.D.F.R.S., &c. for Zoological Lectures deliverred at the Royal Instiution during 18008 and 1809. Published in London by George Kearsley in 1809 (with later hand-colour). A delightful engraved portrait of these two unusual Ratites.

The son of Reverend Timothy Shaw, George was educated by his father until 1765, when he entered Magdalen College, Oxford (B.A., 1769. M.A., 1772). George Shaw was ordained as a Deacon in 1774 but left this profession to study medicine in Edinburgh for three years. He then returned to Oxford where he was deputy-lecturer in Botany. He was admitted to the degrees of M.B. and M.D. in 1787 and then practised as a doctor in London. In 1788 he joined the newly founded Linnean Society of London, and in 1789 was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. In 1791 Shaw was appointed to the natural history section of the British Museum, and in 1807 was appointed keeper and retained that position until he died.

Measuring 235 x 155 mm (13.1/4 x 6.1/4 inches), this page has slight offsetting of print from adjacent page, and a little soiling. The price has been adjusted accordingly.