Matthaeus Merian, “The Dutch Discovery of Fly Island,” c. 1655

Matthaeus Merian (also known as Matthäus Merian I) (1593–1650), or possibly Theodoor de Bry (aka Théodore de Bry, Dietrich de Bry, and Dirk de Bry) (1528–1598)

“The Dutch Discovery of Fly Island,” c. 1655— Depicting Schouten and Le Maire's encounter with Tuamotu Islanders (Pa'umotu) and their sailing proa, amidst a plague of insects (flies/mosquitoes) at Ahe Atoll, 1616. This plate is a landmark illustration of early 17th-century Pacific exploration and the search for Terra Australis Incognita.

The flags flying on the two ships (“Eendracht” and “Hoorn”) are three-band horizontally striped banners, indicating Dutch nationality. Notably, they are not part of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which would display the VOC monogram. This detail is significant: flying the Dutch national colours—either the Prinsenvlag (Orange-White-Blue) or the Statenvlag (Red-White-Blue)—underscores a strategic aim of the expedition: to evade trade restrictions imposed by the VOC in the Spice Islands by charting a western route across the Pacific. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_Schouten.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine laid paper with full margins and German letterpress text on both recto and verso. This original book-leaf was published in Frankfurt am Main in 1655 by the Merian heirs, as part of Johann Ludwig Gottfried’s “Newe Welt und Americanische Historien.” The featured etching appears on page 497. See: https://archive.org/details/neweweltvndameri00gott/page/496/mode/2up.

The impression is strong and well-printed. Aside from minor age-toning and a few surface marks, the sheet is in excellent condition—free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions: 

• Sheet: 30.7 x 19.3 cm
• Platemark: 17.2 x 18.7 cm
• Image borderline: 16.7 x 18.6 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Upper left: “Vligen Insel” 

Price & Shipping:

AU$258 (approximately US$180.96 / €156.43/ £135.75), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this historically significant leaf documenting a 1616 event, when the Dutch ship “Eendracht” intercepted a double-hulled Polynesian canoe—some natives attempting to evade capture by swimming away, while others were taken onboard—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Abraham Genoels, “Small Flock of Sheep”, c. 1685

Abraham Genoels (also known as Archimedes and A.G. Genoel) (1640–1723)

“Small Flock of Sheep” (TIB title) also known as “Landscape with a Castle,” circa 1685 (1675–1691 [BM])

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on heavy laid paper, trimmed along the platemark. This is the third plate from a series of six landscape etchings (TIB 35–40), published in Paris by Adam François van der Meulen (also known as Adam Frans van der Meulen and Adam François Vandermeulen) (1632–1690) with royal privilege from Louis XIV, King of France. This is a second state impression (of IV), with the address of Van der Meulen.

The impression is crisp and well-printed. The sheet bears brown ink notations by an early hand on the verso and may be partially backed, as the paper appears uneven in thickness, and firm. Otherwise, the sheet is in good condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 13.1 x 16.6 cm
• Image borderline: 12.6 x 16.2 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Below the image borderline: (left) “A. Genoels, fe.”, (right) “V. Meulen, ex. Cum priuil. Reg.”

References:

• TIB 5.37 (Walter L Strauss [ed.], “The Illustrated Bartsch: Netherlandish Artists”, vol. 5, 1979, New York, Abaris Books, p. 326, cat. no. 37)
• Hollstein Dutch 37-2(4) (F.W.H. Hollstein, “Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450–1700: FOUCEEL–GOLE,” vol. 7, 1949, Amsterdam, Menno Hertzberger, p. 98, cat. nos. 33–38)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200196224
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Sheepshanks-2719

Price & Shipping:

AU$326 (approximately US$229.27 / €197.29 / £170.92), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this lifetime impression—a small, delicate etching with intriguing historical context—note that Abraham Genoels’ nickname (or “bent name” as called by the Bentvueghels, the artist group of which he was a member) was “Archimedes,” due to his skill in geometry and perspective, which is showcased in this print. 

Please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Claude-Marie-François Dien, “Eucalyptus Globulus”, c. 1798, after Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Claude-Marie-François Dien (1787–1865)

Note: The plate is inscribed only with the name "Dien," so there is also the possibility that the printmaker may be Charles Dien the Elder (also known as Charles Dien père) (active ca. 1790–1830) or P. Dien (late 18th century). The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki proposes the latter.

“Eucalyptus Globulus” (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), circa 1798

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving with etching on watermarked laid paper with full margins as issued. This botanical illustration depicts the flowering and fruiting stem, with floral segments of the eucalyptus commonly known as the Tasmanian Blue Gum or fever tree. The specimen was collected by botanist Jacques Labillardière during the d'Entrecasteaux expedition to Recherche Bay, Tasmania, in 1792.

The print follows the design by Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) and is plate 13 in Jacques-Julien Houtou de La Billardière’s “Relation du voyage à la recherche de La Pérouse…” (Account of the voyage in search of La Pérouse), published in Paris in 1799 and London in 1800. The depicted specimen and the index of its details, numbered on the plate, are discussed on page 165 of volume 1—see: https://archive.org/details/b28772994_0001/page/164/mode/2up. The plate was issued separately in the volume titled “List of the Plates,” vol. 1.

The impression is strong and faultlessly printed. Aside from a hole in the upper right margin, the sheet is in excellent condition with no other significant issues.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53 x 35 cm
• Platemark: 44.9 x 30.5 cm
• Image borderline: 39.9 x 26.5 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Above the image borderline at left: “Atlas du Voyage à la recherche de la Pérouse. N^o. 13.”
• Inside the image borderline: indexing key features from “1” to “4”
• Below the image borderline: (from left to right) “P.J. Redouté del.”, “EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS.”, “Dien Scripsit”

References:

• Auckland Art Gallery: Toi o Tāmaki: https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/3216/eucalyptus-globulus
• Wellcome Collection: https://wellcomecollection.org/works/zeavx5pb
• Wellcome Collection (Charles Dien): https://wellcomecollection.org/concepts/raaj5vy6https://wellcomecollection.org/concepts/raaj5vy6
• La Billardière’s publication: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_F3RBAAAAcAAJ/page/n171/mode/2up
• Gordon Morrison [et al.], “Capturing Flora: 300 years of Australian Botanical Art”, (Exhibition Catalogue), 2012, Art Gallery of Ballarat, pp. 52–55

Price & Shipping:

AU$288 (approximately US$202.55 / €174.29 / £151), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this superb impression of a large and historically significant engraving—the first published example of this species of eucalypt—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Charles Jacque, “Troupeau de Porcs,” 1868

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)
“Troupeau de Porcs” (Herd of Pigs), 1868

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching and drypoint, printed in a warm black ink on laid paper with wide margins. This impression is from the second state, with added details to the sky, and printed in Paris by Auguste Delâtre (1822–1907). 

The supplement to the Guiffrey catalogue (1884) describes this print (translated): “In a wild place, bordered by rocks and planted with six stunted poplars, a herd of pigs advances, the two on the right having strayed slightly; in front, a country girl holds a stick with her hands clasped behind her.” (p. 8, cat. no. 225)

The impression is richly inked and well-printed—near faultless. Aside from faint marks in the lower margin, the sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 26.4 x 34.7 cm
• Platemark: 18.1 x 23.9 cm
• Image borderline: 14 x 20.3 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline at lower left corner: “ch. Jacque/ 1868.”
• Below the image borderline: (from left to right) “CH.JACQUE,INV. ET SC.”, “TROUPEAU DE PORCS”, “IMP.DELÂTRE,PARIS.”

References:

• Guiffrey 225 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches: Supplément au Catalogue,” 1884, Paris, Jouast et Sigaux, p. 8, cat. no. 225)— https://archive.org/details/nouvelleseauxfor00guif/page/8/mode/2up
• Beraldi 433 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 189, cat. no. 433)
• IFF 133 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 117, cat. no. 328)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1874-1212-537  
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/835101

Price & Shipping:

AU$298 (approximately US$209.03 / €180.02 / £156.48), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in this superb impression and a truly exemplary etching of the Barbizon School, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.