Series 02: Etchings of insects by John Lewin, 1803 : pre-publication plates of his Prodromus Entomology

series

1803

Graphic Materials, Prints

147640

Digitised

14 prints - hand coloured etchings mounted onto card - 20.5 x 15.5 cm approx

Item 01
[Tiger : Phalaenoides Glycinae], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 02
[Sting Ray - Bombyx Vulnerans], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 03
[Snout - Bombyx Nasuta], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 04
[Hook Tip - Bombyx Lewinae], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 05
[She-Oak - Bombyx Exposita], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 06
[Banksia Beauty - Bombyx Banksiae], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 07
[Dappled Grey - Cryptophasa Irrorata], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 08
[Banksia - Cryptophasa Albacosta], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 09
[Mimosa Ruby - Cryptophasa Rebescens], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 10
[Ruby - Cryptophasa Pultenae], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 11
[Striped Banksia - Crypothasa Strigata], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 12
[Orange Shouldered - Lithosa Replana], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 13
[The Oak Beauty - Hepialus Ligniveren], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Item 14
[Motley Grey - Tortrix Australana], 1803 / J.W. Lewin

Out of copyright: Artist died before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

These plates appear to be early pulls of etchings by John Lewin, probably at Parramatta, in preparation for his publication: Prodromus Entomology. Natural history of lepidopterous insects of New South Wales / collected, engraved, and faithfully painted after nature by John William Lewin. London : Printed for the author, and published from the hand of his brother, Thomas Lewin ..., 1805. The hand colouring is presumably either by Lewin or his wife.

These etchings were acquired with other Australian and European prints and watercolours. The Australian watercolours, including a number by John Lewin, are now at PXD 388. Five plates of European butterflies are at ML ref. F595.78/B, while fifteen plates of shells by Thomas Martyn are at ML ref. F594/3.

It has been suggested that the album once belonged to William Paterson: see Rex & Thea Rienits, "Early artists of Australia", 1963, p.163-165

All the items were once part of the same scrap album. Each item has been mounted onto an album sheet, on the reverse of which are European portrait and landscape engravings, mostly from the 1830s.

A collection of drawings by Lewin of moths and caterpillars, some of which relate to these engravings, is at ML ref. ZPXB 205. Lewin's own copy (with manuscript text) of "Prodromus Entomology", possibly compiled in NSW as a pattern book for the London edition and titled "Natural History of eighteen nondescrpt. moths with descriptions ...", 1804, is at ML ref. PX*D 258.

Transferred from Manuscripts Section C 693, June 1997
Digital order no:Album ID : 823972

A Rage for Curiosity - State Library of New South Wales (1 September, 1997 - 11 January, 1998). Applies to: PXC 693/6