John Gould Australian Mitchellii, Mitchell’s Hopping Mouse, c1863

$2,950.00

John Gould Marsupial Mouse with Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos). Now classified as Notomys mitchellii.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by Henry Constantine Richter (1821-1902) after John Gould for Gould's Mammals of Australia published in London between 1845 and 1863 by John Gould (1804-1881). There were only 175 individually hand-coloured lithographs of each of the 182 different studies of Australian mammals by John Gould (1804-1881). Gould devoted the last 50 years of his life to illustrating the birds of the world. Gould wrote that "It was not until I arrived in the country [Australia], and found myself surrounded by objects as strange as if I had been transported to another planet, that I conceived the idea of devoting a portion of my attention to the mammalian class of its extraordinary fauna."

During his short stay Gould made observations on Australia's fauna, and employed his skills as a taxidermist with speciimens he obtained. He sketched Australian mammals and birds in their habitats, and was greatly assisted by his artist wife Elizabeth Gould (1804-1841) in preparing the drawings for hand-coloured lithographs to be made after their return to England, so that these wonderful illustrations could be shared with the world.

In fine condition, with accompanying descriptive text, this lovely hand-coloured lithograph is full size as issued, 37 x 53cm (14.5 x 21 inches).