Port Jackson Thrush 18th century antique print. White, c1790.

by White, John

Colluricincla harmonica, Grey Shrikethrush or Grey Shrike-thrush engraving.

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. Artist not indicated, but Sarah Stone 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 Stone herself.

With inevitable slight imperfections of the page, this fine engraving has been coloured some time since publication. Size of page: 285 x 220mm (11.25 x 8.5 inches).