Curiosities

South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

An original hand coloured engraving using the stipple technique published as part of the “Dictionniare des Sciences Naturelles” by Dumont de Saint-Croix published in Paris c1820’s. Engraved by Stranhi after an image by Pretre.

At the time the Aguti (Agouti) and Paca were thought to be of the same family group … not so now .. they have different toe arrangements etc.

They are however, both herbivorous rodents and among the largest in the world.

The Paca can achieve a weight of 14kg on a good diet and is the more attractive with its sides patterned with spots and stripes. There are two distinct types … the lowland variety cab be found all the way from Northern Argentina to Mexico. A smaller Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Paramo grasslands.

The Agouti is generally a smaller animal weighing in around 4 kgs. They are pretty shy compared with the Paca and pretty scared of humanoids. They prevail over much of the middle and north of South America and in the West Indies.

Price $160.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style ….

South American Rodents – rather cute – and large

$160.00

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Australian Natural History Trade Cards

A group of five natural history trade cards all from different sources two of which are circa 100 year old (Wills and Liebig).

Bright and clean the largest being Liebig’s Black Cockatoo which is 116mm by 70mm.

Two cards represents the Tasmanian Devil and the narrative on both sadly reflects an earlier period when their numbers were reduced as a result on attacks on poultry and sheep. The Platypus looks like the larger Tasmanian type and is curiously described as a Duckbill or Platypus. The Bennett’s Wallaby is shown feeding and carrying a joey.

Nice mixed group – Australian wildlife theme

$50.00

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Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

An original photograph by B (Benjamin) Sheppard (1902-1987). Size 21 x 16cm. Overall in good condition. Sheppard was most active in the 1950’s and the photograph likely cones from that period. The rear of the photograph carries B Sheppard’s stamp, that of the Agent General for Tasmania and a manuscript note identifying the location … a rather obvious one to those that love and live in the Apple Isle.

You can still see the solid Spiky Bridge built by Convict labour in 1843. The road has been moved onto a more modern and rather boring structure. The spikiness is thought to be an invention to stop cattle falling into the water … maybe. If you go there the remain of the Governor’s cottage can be seen on the hill nearby.

A Tasmanian landmark … Spiky Bridge a strange structure built by convicts

$50.00

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Egyptian (Isis and Osiris) Trade Cards – 1920’s

A group of six very colourful trade cards by Liebig advertising their tasty Fray products. Printed and issued around 1920. Complete 11cm by 7 cm each in very good condition.

Titled Isis and Osiris they have text about each image on the back in Italian making them doubly useful!

Special Egyptian set with striking colours and imagery.

$60.00

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Australian Wood Chopping World Championship -1938

An original press photo of the 1938 World Wood Chopping Championship held at Sydney.

The caption on the back reads … “Mighty Axemen – Brawny men of the Australian lumber lands stage the world championship tree-felling contest at the Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney. It’s tough going to chop through an Australian tree, because most of the lumber produced is hardwood” … mmmh

A sizeable image 27cm x 20cm taken 28th August 1938

Iconic Aussie Image away from the beach

$20.00

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Polar Exploration Cards – John Player – First Series Complete -1916

A complete set of 25 cards of the sought after First Series of Polar Exploration cards issued by John Player & Sons of Nottingham, England. Good condition front and back.

Includes – Lieut. Sir E.H. Shackleton C.V.O.; The Northern Party at the South Magnetic Pole; The Aurora Borealis; The Aurora Australis; The British Antarctic Expedition 1910; Dr Fridjof Nansen; The “Nimrod” Picking up the Northern Party; A Remarkable Fumarole in the Old Crater of Mount Erebus etc

First series Complete and getting scarce

$120.00

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South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

Australian Natural History Trade Cards

Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

Egyptian (Isis and Osiris) Trade Cards – 1920’s

Australian Wood Chopping World Championship -1938

Polar Exploration Cards – John Player – First Series Complete -1916

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