Broinowski, Australian Little Tern, Black-naped Tern chromolithograph c1890.

by Broinowski, Gracius

 Australian Terns antique print. Sternula nereis, Sterna melanauchen.

Original lithograph printed in colour by G.J. Broinowski for The Birds of Australia published in Sydney c.1890.

Born in Poland, Gracius Broinowski (1837-1913) came to Australia at the age of 20 (apparently to avoid conscription). Arriving in Portland, Victoria he worked for a printer and publisher, then spent many years travelling around Australia and New Zealand. From 1880 Broinowski taught painting in Sydney, and then lithographed the birds of New Zealand and the mammals and birds of Australia.

Page size 365 x 27mm (approximately 14.1/4 x 10.1/2 inches). The paper Broinowski used for printing has age discolouration and has become rather brittle with age. We are fortunate that the image will still look good when framed. The accompanying text is also britlle - but is still interesting.