IMAGE
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
- Date
- [ca 1780-1789], 1788-1790
- By
- Raper, George, 1769-1797; Stone, Sarah, 1760?-1844; Cane, E (Mr), active 19th century; Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918
- Reference
- E-327-f
- Description
Album of 66 natural history drawings, comprising mainly birds of Australia and Norfolk Island, drawn by George Raper, and one drawn by Sarah Stone. Apart from the ornithological illustrations this portfolio also features a cicada, caterpillar, wallaby, frog, and various botanical specimens including orchids and other flowering plants.
See Hindwood, Keith Alfred. "George Raper: an artist of the First Fleet." 'Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society', vol. 50, no. 1, June 1964, pp. 32-57. Pages 49 to 56 describe and list this collection. Similar collections in the British Museum (Natural History), London, and the Mitchell Library (Sydney) are also described. There is also a similar collection in the National Library of Australia, acquired in the 2000s.
The reference on each page to "From E Cane" may be associated with the original owner of the British Museum collection, F Du Cane Godman, whose daughter presented a volume of 72 Raper paintings to the Museum in the mid-twentieth century.
Title from spine of volume. Front cover title 'Original Drawings of Birds from E. Cane', in gilt. Four of the watercolours are signed "Geo. Raper", and one signed "Sarah Stone". All inscribed in ink "from E Cane". Various titles and annotations in ink and pencil.
Album comprises front and back free endpaper, and 70 leaves with 66 watercolours mounted recto(two leaves at front and back blank).
Inscriptions: Verso - top centre - Australia | Series of very early Drawings (mostly of Australian Birds) | by G. E. R. [i.e. Geo.] Raper and others several signed & dated 1788-1790 [pencil verso of front endpaper]; Verso - centre - A report on these paintings, together with identification of the birds has been supplied in a letter from K. A. Hindwood. [pencil verso of front endpaper]
Quantity: 66 watercolour(s) mounted in album.
Physical Description: Album bound in red morocco with gilt titles and ornamentation, marbled endpapers, with watercolours on laid paper, mounted on leaves, 480 x 370 mm.
Provenance: Purchased by Alexander Turnbull from an unknown source.
- Additional description
Watercolours are mounted on leaves of volume resulting in watermarks remaining unidentified.
Alternative form available: Negatives 1/2-071107-F to 071174; colour transparencies of all.
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
- Format
- 66 watercolour(s) mounted in album, Albums, Ornithological illustrations, Watercolours, Works of art, Album bound in red morocco with gilt titles and ornamentation, marbled endpapers, with watercolours on laid paper, mounted on leaves, 480 x 370 mm.
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Raper, George, 1769-1797. Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane. Ref: E-327-f. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22807428More information can be found in our terms of use.
Copyright
UnknownRaper, George, 1769-1797: Pelecanus [Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-066
Description: Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus). Specimen shown swimming with rocks and small plants in foreground. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Pelecanus" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 289 x 255 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Grey currawong (Strepera versicolor)] 2/4 Less Nat[ura]l Size
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-007
Description: Grey currawong (Strepera versicolor). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - "2/4 Less Natl Size" [pencil] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 415 x 252 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Black Swan of New Holland, the size of the European Swan [Bla...
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-003
Description: Two black swans (Cygnus atratus). Depicted on a lake in a landscape. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Black Swan of New Holland, the size of the European Swan" [ink] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 260 x 415 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Melalenea [Flame robin (Petroica phoenicea), and Double-heade...
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-028
Description: Flame robin (Petroica phoenicea) and caterpillar of double-headed hawk moth (Coequosa triangularis). Specimen of black and white bird with red breast depicted perched on a plant with a purple flowers and caterpillar. Identity suggested as Scarlet robin, by Mr J L Moore, visitor 1999. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Former title - Melalenea [Flame or scarlet robin - Petroica phoenicea or multicolor, with Double-headed caterpillar - coequosa triangularis] Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - "Melalenea" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 414 x 261 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Blue-faced honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-061
Description: Blue-faced honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis). Specimen depicted perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 254 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata)]
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-011
Description: Diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata). Specimen depicted perched on a branch. Title supplied by Library. Former title - Diamond sparrow (Zonaeginthus guttatus). Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 413 x 255 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Musketo Hawk, New Holland. Caprimulgus. 5 1/8 less Nat[ura]l ...
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-052
Description: Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides). Specimen depicted perched on a branch. The early settlement name 'Mosquito hawk' was applied to the Owlet nightjar, not to the Tawny frogmouth. Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - "Musketo Hawk, New Holland" [ink]; Recto - bottom right - "5 1/8 less Natl Size" [ink]; Recto - beneath image - "Caprimulgus" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 416 x 262 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Brolga (Grus rubicunda)]
Date: [ca 1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-009
Description: Brolga (Grus rubicunda). Specimen depicted standing on a small island with plants, surrounded by water. Identified as brolga by Mr J L Moore, in 1999. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 413 x 253 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: [Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)]
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-044
Description: Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys). Specimen depicted in profile perched on a flowering legume plant. Title supplied by Library. Former title - [White-breasted wood swallow (Artamus leucorhynchus)] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 417 x 256 mm.
Raper, George, 1769-1797: Pigeon of Lord Howe Island. Columba [Lord Howe pigeon (Columb...
Date: [ca 1788-1790]
From: Raper, George, 1769-1797: Birds of Australia and South Seas. Original drawings 1788-90. From E. Cane
By: Raper, George, 1769-1797
Reference: E-327-f-041
Description: Lord Howe pigeon (Columba vitiensis godmanae). Specimen depicted standing on the ground. A nearly identical signed drawing is in the British Museum (Natural History) collection of Raper drawings Title supplied by Library incorporating transcription from item. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - "Pigeon of Lord Howe Island" [ink]; Recto - centre right - "Columba" [pencil annotation] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour and ink on laid paper, 265 x 415 mm.