South Australia in 1842. By One who lived there nearly Four Years. Illustrated by Drawings
London, J.C. Hailes and S. Gilbert, 1843.
Octavo, 32 pages plus a small folding map (205 × 156 mm), an engraving of Adelaide, and 2 full-page lithographs: 'Farm of J. Barton Hack ... Echiunga [sic] Springs, Mount Barker', and two portraits on the one plate of Kertamaroo (King John) and Mogata (his wife).
Later half calf and cloth, retaining the original pale yellow front wrapper (lettered 'South Australia in 1842') and with numerous binder's blanks at the rear to make a more substantial object; covers slightly rubbed at the extremities and high spots; wrapper lightly stained and creased, with the leading edge neatly reinforced (presumably when the binding was done); first and last leaves lightly foxed, with the last one lightly marked; trifling signs of handling; a very good copy.
This copy contains the armorial bookplate of Henry Percival Moore (and his pencilled ownership initials on an early binder's blank). Moore was the Colonial Manager for the South Australian Company from 1901 to 1929. Interestingly, the lithographs are by George French Angas from the artwork of others, 'a sketch by Col. Gawler' in the first instance, and from drawings 'Model'd from life by Mrs Walker [? - cropped to Walk]' in the second. There are some extracts from official reports and various statistics (up to August 1842), but the book is comprised predominantly of first-hand accounts, often in the form of lengthy quotes from letters from settlers. The passage of time puts things into perspective. There is a PS to Alexander Lorimer's letter: 'I have neglected to mention, that vineyards are forming by many of the settlers'. The closely-printed two pages on Aborigines concludes with this paragraph: 'It is hoped, that a conviction of the deep responsibility which we have incurred, toward the aboriginal inhabitants of that beautiful country, of which we have taken possession, will render the minuteness of the preceding information not unacceptable'. Ferguson 3721 (not mentioning Angas, nor identifying the author). Susan Woodburn has recently alerted us to a paragraph in the 'Adelaide Observer' of 1 July 1843: 'The "South Australian News" of January last, announces the publication of a pamphlet to be entitled "South Australia in 1842", not by "One who is going" but by "One who lived there four years". We understand it will contain a full, true, and particular account of the Colony and be embellished with views of Adelaide, Mr Hack's Farm, and the portraits of two natives King John, and his wife. We suspect our friend David McLaren to be the author of the pamphlet'. David McLaren (1785-1850) arrived at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, in April 1837, as the second colonial manager of the South Australian Company. He left Adelaide on his return to London in January 1841 ('Australian Dictionary of Biography').
Item #80073
Price (AUD):
$3,000.00