John Gould Mammals of Australia, Hapalotis Mitchellii, Mitchell's Hopping Mouse, c1863

by Gould, John

Australian Marsupial Mouse antique print c1863 by John Gould and lithographer Henry Constantine Richter.

Original hand-coloured lithograph for Mammals of Australia published in London between 1845 and 1863 by John Gould (1804-1881). There were only 175 individually hand-coloured lithographs of each of the 182 different studies of Australian Mammals by John Gould (1804-1881). Gould devoted the last 50 years of his life to illustrating the birds of the world. Gould wrote that "It was not until I arrived in the country, and found myself surrounded by objects as strange as if I had been transported to another planet, that I conceived the idea of devoting a portion of my attention to the mammalian class of its extraordinary fauna."

During his short stay Gould made observations on Australia's fauna, and employed his skills as a taxidermist to obtain specimens. He sketched the mammals and birds, and was greatly assisted by his artist wife Elizabeth Gould (1804-1841), in preparing the sketches for lithographs to be made on their return to England, so that these wonderful illustrations could be shared with the world.

In fine condition, this lovely hand-coloured lithograph is full size as issued, 37 x 53cm (approximately 14.5 x 21 inches).