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Watts's Shark. Front view of mouth. (Spotted Wobbegong) c1789.

Watts's Shark. Front view of mouth. (Spotted Wobbegong) c1789.

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by Stockdale, John

Australian Wobbegong antique print, Carpet Shark, Orectobolus maculatus. Front View of the Mouth the size of Life - "with nine sharp crooked teeth in front, in three rows, and a great number of small ones on each side".  Th spotted wobbegong is endemic (native) to Australia. It is 150 to 180 centimetres in length, bottom-dwelling, - and will bite if stepped on.

Original copperplate engraving of small shark found in Sydney Cove, Port Jackson by Lieutenant Watts drawn by Peter Mazell for The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay with an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, published in London by John Stockdale of Piccadilly c1789 (fine later hand-colour).

The platemark measures 192 x 260 mm (7 1/2 x 10 1/4 inches). Page size is 225 x 300 mm (8 7/8 x 11 3/4 inches). Top left corner of page has a very faint crease. (Price reduced)

Stock Number: apMar24Price: $145.00