Waikeea River in Byron Bay. Aquatint depicting Hawaiian natives of Byron Bay (Hilo Bay) fishing and playing in the water.
London: John Murray, 1826. An aquatint plate from the 'Voyage of H.M.S. Blonde to the Sandwich Islands, in the years 1824-1825, Captain the Right Hon. Lord Byron, commander'. Engraved by Edward Finden after Robert Dampier. The plate depicts the river flowing into the bay, with Hawaiians in the foreground, some in the water (with 2 who appear to do handstands), others on the shore, and a row of palm trees in the middle ground.
Lord Byron was commander of the HMS 'Blonde' when it carried the bodies of King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu back to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii); they both died of the measles in London, after traveling there to visit King George IV. The crew included the Scottish botanist James Macrae (Royal Horticultural Society), the naturalist Andrew Bloxam, and Robert Dampier serving as ship's artist. On May 3 of 1824 land was first sighted off the island of Hawaii at Hilo. Hilo Bay was called Byron Bay by Europeans at that time.
10 1/4 x 7 1/2" paper; tipped on to heavier black stock. A bit of fox spotting below the image near the title. In an acid free mat, 17 3/4 x 14 1/2". Abbey 597. Very good condition. Item #21970
Price: $225.00