STREHLOW, John

The Tale of Frieda Keysser. Frieda Keysser and Carl Strehlow: an Historical Biography. Volume 1: 1875-1910. [Together with] Volume 2: Between Three Worlds, 1910-1922. Part One [and] .... Part Two

London, Wild Cat Press, 2011 and 2019.

Large octavo, three volumes, xxxii, 1198; xxvi, 582 and [iv], 583-1218 pages with illustrations and maps plus a folding plate, 220 pages of plates (many in colour) and 7 maps (4 folding).

Papered boards (Volume 1) and colour-pictorial papered boards; in fine condition with the fine dustwrappers.

'Of all the early women pioneers omitted from official histories, Carl Strehlow's wife Frieda Keysser is the most glaring example, having spent over a quarter of a century on the Australian frontier when life was dangerous, difficult and often short.... Frieda was well aware that her tumultuous life was unique and kept copious diaries, in later years authoring an overview of her life ... This account of her life was inspired by those writings ... and constitute one of the richest records of pioneer life of the period. As a practical person who played a crucial role in the survival of Central Australia's aboriginal population, Frieda's diaries are distinguished by meticulous observation and careful recording of names, places and facts' (dustwrapper blurb).

The second volume 'covers Frieda and Carl's return to Germany in 1910 to attend to the education of their children, and complete the publication of Carl's book, with no plans to return to Australia. Frieda's work on the problems of infant mortality and social breakdown as it affected women had reversed population decline at Hermannsburg, but changes in the running of the Mission caused alarm among the Aranda Christians, who wrote begging her and Carl to return. This volume ends with Carl's death at Horseshoe Bend halfway to the railhead at Oodnadatta, leaving Frieda to travel south with son Theo on her own'. [3 items].

Item #137035

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