Northern Buzzard, Gypoictinia decepta. Matthews, Birds of Australia c1910
by Groenvold, Henrik
Australian Buzzards, Birds of Prey lithograph. Antique Print.
Original hand-coloured lithograph by Danish natural history artist Henrik Gronvold (1858-1940) for Birds of Australia by G.M. Mathews. Published in London between 1910 and 1927 for the one of the last hand-illustrated grand natural history publications. Skilled, labour-intensive hand-coloured lithography was expensive.
Gregory Macalister Mathews (1876-1949), was born in northern New South Wales and educated at Singleton Grammar School and King's School, Paramatta. Mathews worked with and was guided by scientists in Australia, and after retirement, in England. Dr Richard Bowdler Sharpe of the British Museum, had worked with John Gould, and suggested Mathews prepare a more accessible illustrated guide to Australian birds, and guided Mathews in his work which took 16 years to complete, with Mathews working up to 16 hours a day. From 1910 to 1923 Mathews was greatly assisted by Tom Ireland, until Ireland left for Australia.
Gregory Mathews was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and in 1939 was awarded the Order of Commander of the British Empire, in recognition of his notable contributions to scientific knowledge. He presented the Australian Commonwealth with his vast ornithological library, and it is now housed in Canberra's National Library.
Page size is 345mm x 255mm (13.1/2 x 10 inches).
Stock Number: apGMbA1Price: $180.00