Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 2042:
Description
This beautiful originally hand-colored lithograph is from George French Angas’s
South Australia Illustrated. The work was published in London by Thomas M’Lean in 1847. This is a rare, first edition with only 243 subscribers to the work.
The lithographs were printed with tint and hand-colored at the time of printing and heightened with gum arabic. The plates were completed by J. W. Giles, W. Hawkins, and G. F. Angas. The original illustrations were done by G. F. Angas, Samuel Thomas Gill, and Charles Rhodius. Each lithograph will include the original letterpress.
Angas described the purpose of his work in the preface: "With the hope of preserving true and life-like records of men and scenes, so quickly passing away, I have endeavoured… to describe the most interesting and peculiar features of South Australia and its Aboriginal Inhabitants. I have devoted my time and powers entirely to the accomplishment of this task – visiting all portions of the Colony – and making myself conversant with the manners and habits of native tribes, whose existence is unknown to the world"
George French Angas (1822-1886) was an English explorer and naturalist. "
South Australia Illustrated is without question Angas’s greatest and most accomplished work. His views of towns and scenery, of the Aborigines and of the flora and fauna offer an outstanding – if romantic – interpretation of the Australian landscape. It is a very scarce book … and one which has always been held in the highest esteem and is in great demand. It must be considered one of the fundamental works in any collection of Australian plate books." (Wantrup, page 409)
Paper Size: ~ 14 1/4" by 21"
Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Lithographs
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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