Golden Winged Pidgeon. Australian Bronzewing Pigeon. John White, c1790

by Sarah Stone

Phaps chalcopetra fine early pigeon antique print, c1790.

Rare original copperplate engraving for the Surgeon-General of the First Fleet and Settlement in Australia, John White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales published in London by J. Debrett in 1789-1790. As well as being Surgeon-General of the British settlement at Port Jackson, White was an avid amateur naturalist who sent a collection of natural history specimens to his friend, Thomas Wilson in London in mid-1789 to organize their publication.

The artist is not named, but this illustration is has the character of the work of Sarah Stone who drew forty-nine of the sixty-five specimens, that were then engraved by five London nature artists, Frederick Nodder, Charles Catton Jr., Edward Kennion, Mortimer, and Sarah Stone.

The fine hand-laid paper is in good condition except for a light watermark stain at top left and a few tiny foxing marks at left. with a distinctive intaglio impression. To platemark measures 230 x 180mm (approx. 9 x 7 inches). Page size is 285 x 220mm (approx.11 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches).