[NATURAL HISTORY] Emu

Stereoscopic albumen print photograph (78 x 77 mm each image) on original yellow card mount, c 1875, imprint recto: “Animals in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London, Photographed from life by F. York. 34. Emeu, Dromeus Novae Hollandiae (sic)”. Superb condition.

York published his series of photographs of animals in the London Zoo in the 1870s. This image of an emu (Dromaius Novaehollandiae) in captivity appears to be the earliest recorded photograph of this Australian native bird. (NLA holds a Charles Kerry photograph of a taxidermy specimen dated 1894-95).