In Southern Seas. Wanderings of a Naturalist
London, John Murray, 1924.
Octavo, xviii, 298, [4] (advertisements) pages with 2 maps plus 30 plates.
Cloth; spine a little sunned, with a tiny split at the head; covers very slightly marked; edges foxed, and with occasional light foxing internally; two gatherings slightly loose; endpapers tanned; a very good copy.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper 'To Sir William Sowden, wishing him Many Happy Returns, April 26, 1925', and signed in ink by B.S. Roach and 29 others, including such local luminaries as S.A. White, F.J. Mills, Fred Johns and Rodney Cockburn, many of them staff or former staff at the 'Register' newspaper. A personal notice in the 'Barrier Miner' of 29 April 1925 gives an account of what we presume to be the occasion of the presentation of this book: 'Sir William Sowden, who was 67 years old on Sunday, was, born at Castlemain, Victoria ... At 23 he joined the "Register", literary staff, and was connected with the Grenfell-street daily for more than 40 years. He was editor and part proprietor for about a quarter of a century. A week ago Sir William Sowden returned from a year's tour abroad. On Sunday night a "surprise party" called at his residence, Castlemaine, Glen Osmond, to wish him many happy returns of the day and to express their delight at his safe return from his world trip'. With much on Australian Aborigines. The last eighteen pages, 'How the Pictures were made', give an interesting account of the author's photographic apprenticeship and experiences in the field.
Item #138443
Price (AUD):
$250.00