Descrizione

First edition, small 4to (295 x 230 mm), [8], [10]pp., with 10 hand-coloured aquatint plates, each with a leaf of descriptive text, previous ownerís bookplate on front paste-down and his ink signature to head of title page, evidence of another bookplate removed, a couple of neat old library stamps to foot of title, contemporary quarter calf, green paper boards, front board with morocco gilt lettered label, front hinge cracked but holding, boards with some rubbing and soiling, head and foot of spine chipped, corners worn. First edition, early state of the first work published on Australian Aborigines. With the pre-publication watermark date of 1811 on some of the plates. This being the scarce separate issue of the plates, also found issued together with Ormeís 1814 ìForeign Field Sports, Fisheries, Sporting Anecdotes.î ìThis book was the first to be published about Aboriginal life and customs. It is unknown whose work the plates are based on but it seems unlikely that Clark ever visited Australia. The plates and essay were also included in later works like Foreign Field Sports, Fisheries, Sporting Anecdotes.î (State Library of New South Wales). Although it is now believed that John William Lewin is the most likely source both of plates and text, adapted by Clark. ìThe plates here represent in vivid style and delicate detail various aspects of Aboriginal life in the bush. Some of the plates show hunting scenes such as kangaroo hunting, fishing, bird hunting, and smoking out possums. Other plates represent aspects of tribal life such as a corroboree, trial by spear, a war party, and a night scene in a camp. The plates are justly celebrated and are without question the most attractive and sympathetic of the early European depictions of the Aboriginal inhabitants.î (Australian Book Auctions) Provenance: Bookplate and signature of H. W. Wheelwright, the Swedish naturalist, there is a pencil on the free-endpaper that reads ìThis book was the property of the late Louis Phillip, Emperor of France.î This is supported by one of the library stamps on the title page which reads ëDuc díOrÈlansí and the gilt Coat of arms of the Duke of OrlÈans stamp on the morocco label on the upper board. Ferguson, 551; Wantrup, 213a.