Memoirs of a Soldier Artist
London, Stanley Paul & Co. Ltd., 1933.
Octavo, 256 pages plus 28 pages of plates (totalling 40 illustrations from photographs).
Gilt-lettered black cloth a little rubbed, sunned and marked; front cover slightly bowed; extremities a little bumped; edges a little foxed and marked; flyleaves lightly discoloured; a very good copy.
The autobiography of British soldier, artist and sculptor Adrian Jones (1845-1938). Pages 111-114 (and the plate facing page 96) refer to his Boer War Memorial sculpture at the entrance to Government House at the corner of North Terrace and King William Street, Adelaide. Jones tells the story from the initial request by 'an influential Committee, representing the City of Adelaide' chaired by Sir Kiffin Thomas, to the unveiling in 1904 and Sir William Sowden's letter of appreciation some 21 years later. The Memorial 'was designed along the vigorous lines that appeal so strongly to the Australian people. Indeed, many Australians told me that they thought it the best statue in the country, but this may have been said to please me' (page 112). His 'magnum opus, however, was his "Peace Quadriga", 1912, for Constitution Arch, Hyde Park Corner, his hopes for a major unveiling ceremony (and perhaps even a knighthood) dashed by the death of his great advocate, King Edward VII, in 1910'. ('Public Statues and Sculpture Association' website). With a foreword by Lt.-Gen. Lord Baden-Powell.
Item #141962
Price (AUD):
$125.00