The Crested Goatsucker early engraving. John White's Journal c1789

by Sarah Stone

Australian Owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles (previously Caprimulgus) crestatus antique print.

Original copperplate engraving after a drawing by Sarah Stone for John White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, published in London by Debrett c1789. Surgeon-General to the First Fleet, John White was an avid amateur naturalist.

The daughter of a professional fan painter, Sarah Stone (1760-1844) married naval officer John Langland Smith in 1789. The "celebrated Miss Stone" worked as a natural history illustrator in England between 1777 and 1820. Prominent 18th century collectors, including Sir Joseph Banks and Sir Ashton Lever, commissioned her to prepare watercoloured drawings of animals and birds, from skins, specimens, artifacts and drawings that were sent to England from early voyages of exploration. Sarah Stone illustrations were often the first to be seen of new discoveries from around the world. Copperplate engravings were also made from Sarah Stone watercolours to illustrate the Voyages of Captain James Cook. Some of her watercolours are now in the Australian Museum in Sydney and in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. As “Miss Stone, Honorary Exhibitor” she exhibited four paintings of birds and shells at the Royal Academy in 1781 and 1786.

This engraving has later hand-colour, and is relatively clean, considering its age. Soil spot, and slight damage to right edge of page. This stunning image has accompanying text. Page size is 280mm x 215mm (11 inches x 8.1/2 inches). To plate mark measures 230 x 180mm (9 x 7 inches).