Spotted Opossum or Eastern Quoll. First Fleet c1789.

by Mazell, Peter

Wonderful early engraving of Australian Brush-tailed Eastern Quoll. Dasyurus viverrinus - now extinct on the mainland and only found in Tasmania.

Original copperplate engraving by Peter Mazell for Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay; with an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson & Norfolk Island published by John Stockdale in London circa 1789 (later-colour).

Arthur Phillip came to Australia as captain of the convict ship, HMS Sirius. The first Governor of the British penal colony at Port Jackson in Sydney, Arthur Phillip was appointed Captain General and Commander in Chief over the Territory of New South Wales.

Page, 300 x 225 mm (11 3/4 x 9 inches) with barely noticeable vertical central crease to the right of centre (necessitated for inclusion in a smaller publication.