Review of the Labours of Several Explorers of Australia ... also, the Narrative of Mr. John King, Sole Survivor of the Burke and Wills Expedition
Melbourne, Clarson, Shallard & Co., Printers & Publishers, 1863.
Octavo, 16 pages plus the wrappers (repeating the full title page details on the front cover, with a full-page wood-engraving of Burke's grave on the outside rear cover).
Original wrappers, sewn into later plain card covers (with the title in manuscript on the front); occasional light foxing and minor signs of use; a very good copy.
The only edition and rare (and one can imagine the attrition rate of the pictorial wrappers among extant copies is significant). 'Although Foster's 16-page pamphlet glances at the work of earlier explorers it is principally of interest for its connection with the Burke and Wills Expedition ... of particular note [is the] wood engraving depicting Burke's Grave on Cooper's Creek ... after a sketch by Alfred William Howitt, who not only led the expedition which rescued King, but also led the expedition which returned the remains of Burke and Wills to Melbourne' (Wantrup). Provenance: Edward Edgar Pescott (1872-1954), horticulturalist, naturalist, author and book-collector (with the title in his handwriting on the card covers).
Item #107817
Price (AUD):
$3,500.00