- The drawing is inscribed in pencil at bottom left with the number "18", at top right "17", and on the reverse "23".
- The composition is almost identical to that of drawing number 77 in the Watling Collection by the Port Jackson Painter, although that drawing lacks the "trompe l'oeil" effects that Raper has used.
- The author of this catalogue record is Suzanne Stenning.
- By permission of the trustees of the Natural History Museum (London).
- Two sets of transparencies held in the Natural History Museum (London) Zoology Library and Picture Library: Picture Library order number 15118
- Miss Eva Godman donated 1962
- Data sheet available.
- Hindwood, K.A. 'George Raper: an Artist of the First Fleet', Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society, Vol. 50, Pt. 1, 1964 pp.32-57.
- Wheeler, A. and Smith, B, (eds.) The Art of the First Fleet and other early Australian Drawings. New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 1988 (Pl.42, p.50).
- George Raper]
- The drawing is inscribed in black ink in a panel at the bottom with the title "NATIVES IMPLEMENTS for WAR, & cc, & cc, about PORT JACKSON". The key to the numbered implements is given below in four columns, from left to right; "Feet In.s 1, 1 War Spear's --- from 10, to 18 feet. 2, 2 Fish. Gigs Do 3 Paddle ............ 2 feet.", "4 Stone Axe from 18 to 26 Inches 5 A Carv'd Sword, or Club -- 26 Do 6 A Vessel to contain their Water, & Necessary's for Fishing & cc. about 2 feet", "7 Throwing Stick from 2 to 3 feet - 8 Shield. with a section of the inside shewing the handle 40 Inchs. 9 a Peculiar Club 20 Inches -", and "10 Wooden Sword - 3 feet - 11 Fish-hook --- Mid:e size".
- The "painting within a painting" is titled "NATIVES Fishing in their CANOE. PORT JACKSON -", and is signed and dated "GEO: rapeR.# 1790 -".
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![[A 'painting within a painting' of Aboriginal men fishing from a canoe, surrounded by drawings of weapons and fishing implements]](image.dsml?imageref=NHM-UK_L_a353595_18_M_1.jpg&width=300)