The Diggers & Diggings of Victoria as they are in 1855. Drawn on Stone by S.T. Gill
Melbourne, James J. Blundell, 1856.
Oblong octavo, four parts, each containing 5 lithographs by Gill.
Original light blue pictorial title-wrappers; a fine run (rare in any event, excessively so in this condition).
The run contains 20 busy and entertaining original lithographs of the Victorian goldfields by Gill, as well as the very rare printed wrappers (also by Gill). These scenes of goldfields life are 'arguably still the most popular and most readily recognised representations of the Australian colonial scene ... More than any other early illustrated books, the plates in these volumes have become part of our living history' (Wantrup, writing of this and Gill's three other early Melbourne publications). A further three parts, with lithographs by A.J. Stopps, appeared later. Wantrup 247.
Item #107818
Price: $22,000.00