Item #1649 Far Off; or Asia and Australia described. With Anecdotes and Numerous Illustrations…. Mrs. M. MORTIMER.

Far Off; or Asia and Australia described. With Anecdotes and Numerous Illustrations…

London: T. Hatchard, 1852.

First Edition, First Printing.

Rare: first edition, first issue of a work that was one of the most popular goldfields-era accounts of Australia.
‘If you were in Sydney, you would hardly think you were in a savage island; for you would see no savages in the streets. What is become of those who once lived in these parts? They are all dead, or gone to other parts of the island. The last black near Sydney, used to talk of the old times, and say, “When I was a pick-a-ninny, plenty of black fellow then. Only one left now, mitter."’
Mortimer’s work went through many reprints and new editions, but this first edition is very scarce. Ferguson listed only three copies of the work, all later: in his own collection, the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Australia (eighth, twelfth and thirteenth thousand respectively). [Ferguson, 12871].

Very good. Item #1649

Small octavo, bound in original gilt decorated green cloth, frontispiece, folding map and numerous vignettes;, a little foxed, front hinge split and tender, otherwise very good.

Price (AUD): $750.00  other currencies