Rare and endangered birds of New Zealand

In the 1960s and 1970s, W. Gregg and Co. of Dunedin began producing trading cards in packets of Greggs jelly crystal. In 1976, however, paintings for a new series, Rare and Endangered Birds of New Zealand, were produced by leading local printmaker and designer Eileen Mayo (1906–1994).

”British-born Mayo was a versatile artist who worked on a broad range of commissions throughout her career, including book illustration for London publishers, and travel posters and designs for postage stamps and coins in Australia. Moving from Sydney to New Zealand in 1962, Mayo’s design work here included the 1969 Cook Bicentenary postage stamp issue, and 1970 definitive stamps of butterflies and fish.

”Mayo received the Rare and Endangered Birds commission while living in Dunedin, working part-time at Otago Museum on a variety of projects. Assistant Director John Darby and his wife Marie were approached by Gregg’s to write the album’s text, and as close friends of Mayo’s were instrumental in her gaining the commission. Mayo was required to produce thirty–six paintings, including a cover. With the advantage of ready access to local collections and the expertise and knowledge of others, she also brought to the task an innate passion for natural history.

Discussing the work regularly with her friends as it progressed, Mayo took great pains to ensure accurate depiction of all details, including appropriate habitats and plant life. She spent eight months on the paintings, and completed them in Christchurch after moving here at the end of 1976.”

Reference:
  Ken Hall, Christchurch Art Gallery