John Philemon Backhouse

A DigitalNZ Story by Ting Sun

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Rewi's Argus butterfly. [ ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Rewi's Argus butterfly. [ ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Christmas card showing White Terraces ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Christmas card showing White Terraces ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Pink Terrace. [188-?].

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Pink Terrace. [188-?].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Ohinemutu Rotorua [1880s?]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Ohinemutu Rotorua [1880s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :White Terrace. [188-?].

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :White Terrace. [188-?].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Egmont [1880s?]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Egmont [1880s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Botanical studies. ca 1871].

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Botanical studies. ca 1871].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :L. Taupo. [1880s?]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :L. Taupo. [1880s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Minui o houiaiterangi. Orakei Korako. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Minui o houiaiterangi. Orakei Korako. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Maori woman and child. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Maori woman and child. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Military settler's cottage, Hamilton. [1865-1900]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Military settler's cottage, Hamilton. [1865-1900]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Underside of Pyrameis Itea. [ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Underside of Pyrameis Itea. [ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Underside of painted lady. [ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Underside of painted lady. [ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Funeral of a chief]. 23 February [ca 1885]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Funeral of a chief]. 23 February [ca 1885]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Maori poling a canoe in rapids. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Maori poling a canoe in rapids. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Pink Terraces, Roto Mahana. 1886

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Pink Terraces, Roto Mahana. 1886

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Native village. Mokoia Ild. Rotorua [ ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Native village. Mokoia Ild. Rotorua [ ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Rotorua ; L.Rotorua & Rotoiti from near Wairaki [1886?]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Rotorua ; L.Rotorua & Rotoiti from near Wairaki [1886?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Beautiful story

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Red Admiral butterfly. ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Red Admiral butterfly. ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Maori village scene. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Maori village scene. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Small Terrace, Waikato River. Orakei Korako [ ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Small Terrace, Waikato River. Orakei Korako [ ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Terrace Valley, Orakei Korako. [ca 1880].

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Terrace Valley, Orakei Korako. [ca 1880].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[River steamer and bridge on the Waikato. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[River steamer and bridge on the Waikato. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Rotoiti near Rotorua. [ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Rotoiti near Rotorua. [ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Venus geyser. The Spa, Taupo, ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Venus geyser. The Spa, Taupo, ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :The New Zealand Painted Lady. [ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :The New Zealand Painted Lady. [ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

I wish I can buy some of those

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Dibsell's Landing, Te Aroha]. 2. 2. 1881

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Dibsell's Landing, Te Aroha]. 2. 2. 1881

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Bush scene showing clearing with rock bearing carved European initials] 12. 9. [18]80

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Bush scene showing clearing with rock bearing carved European initials] 12. 9. [18]80

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Miners' or gumdiggers' huts beside a river. 1880 or 1881]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Miners' or gumdiggers' huts beside a river. 1880 or 1881]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Banded wood butterfly. Spotted wood butterfly. Underside of No. 1 [ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Banded wood butterfly. Spotted wood butterfly. Underside of No. 1 [ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Settler's hut on the edge of a lake. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Settler's hut on the edge of a lake. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Diamond pardalote Victoria. Mock Regent Victoria. Belted chit Victoria. 3 / 10 / [18]73

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Diamond pardalote Victoria. Mock Regent Victoria. Belted chit Victoria. 3 / 10 / [18]73

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Old blockhouse at the Whau, Manukau Harbour, Auckland, N.Z. 16.5.[18]71.

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Old blockhouse at the Whau, Manukau Harbour, Auckland, N.Z. 16.5.[18]71.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Whakarewarewa. The old bridge and toll-house, Whakarewarewa Rotorua. [1880s?]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Whakarewarewa. The old bridge and toll-house, Whakarewarewa Rotorua. [1880s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Old Painkiller Bath. Te Kauwhanga Point, Rotorua. [ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Old Painkiller Bath. Te Kauwhanga Point, Rotorua. [ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Felling kauri and men having billy tea. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Felling kauri and men having billy tea. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Christmas card with manuka and lake scene. ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Christmas card with manuka and lake scene. ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Emerald Cicada or Tree Locust. New Zealand Cricket.... [ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Emerald Cicada or Tree Locust. New Zealand Cricket.... [ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Komakarou M. Mangawara M. Longhorned Maize eater. [ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Komakarou M. Mangawara M. Longhorned Maize eater. [ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Crimson-winged parrot, Queensland, 1/2 full size. 18.10 [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Crimson-winged parrot, Queensland, 1/2 full size. 18.10 [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Old mill near Mt Eden, Onehunga Road, Auckland, N.Z. 15.3.[18]71.

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Old mill near Mt Eden, Onehunga Road, Auckland, N.Z. 15.3.[18]71.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Mangrove swamp at high tide with three men in a boat. ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Mangrove swamp at high tide with three men in a boat. ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Williamstown from St Kilda beach, Mel[bour]ne, Vic[toria]. 2.12.[18]71.

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :Williamstown from St Kilda beach, Mel[bour]ne, Vic[toria]. 2.12.[18]71.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Spider or mason fly. Ichneumon. Locust (spring). [ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Spider or mason fly. Ichneumon. Locust (spring). [ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Peaceful dove, Queensland & Zebra grass parrakeet, N S Wales. 24/11/ [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Peaceful dove, Queensland & Zebra grass parrakeet, N S Wales. 24/11/ [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[New Year card with rewarewa and waterfall. ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[New Year card with rewarewa and waterfall. ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Fairy dove, Queensland. King thrush, Victoria. 17/11/ [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon 1843-1908 :Fairy dove, Queensland. King thrush, Victoria. 17/11/ [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Golden oriole, Queensland. Dollar bird, Queensland. 22/12/ [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Golden oriole, Queensland. Dollar bird, Queensland. 22/12/ [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Bee eater. N S Wales. 11/7/ [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1843-1908 :Bee eater. N S Wales. 11/7/ [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Large fumarole on edge of lake] 28. 11. [1880s?]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Large fumarole on edge of lake] 28. 11. [1880s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Green cicada or tree locust. Dragon fly. Bush grass hopper. Waikato. [ca. 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :Green cicada or tree locust. Dragon fly. Bush grass hopper. Waikato. [ca. 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Military camp above a river with a paddle-steamer. ca 1880]

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :[Military camp above a river with a paddle-steamer. ca 1880]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Settlers' camp in the Australian bush] 8 / [18]79

Backhouse, John Philemon 1845-1908 :[Settlers' camp in the Australian bush] 8 / [18]79

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :King Hunter, N S Wales & S Australian Parrakeet. 2/12 [18]73.

Backhouse, John Philemon, 1845-1908 :King Hunter, N S Wales & S Australian Parrakeet. 2/12 [18]73.

Alexander Turnbull Library