Markham, W. G.

Boomanoomana Station from across the Murray River . Cabinet Card [with] American Merino Rams pedigree of sheep by W. G. Markham, consigned to Alfred Hay of Boomanoomana in 1883 Catalogue.

Ca. 1870s; 1883. Albumen cabinet card with original photograph of the Australian station, now located in the township called Barooga. Photograph on card with printed border, the title written in pencil on verso. A small station house is visible at the right side of the image, with a long wooden fence bordering the river.

The area which later became Boomanoomana Station was first settled in the early 1800’s by Colonel Henry Gwynne, who arrived there in the footsteps of Charles Sturt. By 1863 the station got its name when William Hay acquired 80,000 acres. The property extended from Corowa in the east to Tuppal Station in the west, and was quite wooded, therefore suitable for cattle. But Hay wanted to establish a sheep station, so he sold off his cattle, cleared the trees at great effort and fenced the land, purchasing merino sheep from established stations. Hay built a homestead which still stands; it was owned by Sir David Hay (1916 - 2009), head of Aboriginal Affairs, Administrator of Papua New Guinea and Ambassador to the UN, who restored the grounds and buildings to original condition.
3 1/2 x 6 1/2" image on card 4 1/2 x 6 1/2". Cabinet card not recorded in Trove.
[with]
American Merino Rams, recorded in the American Merino Register, selected by W. G.. Markham, Avon, NY USA from the best American Flocks. Shipped from San Francisco, California, June, 1883. Consignee: Alfred Hay, Esq., Boomanoomana, Mulwala, New South Wales, Australia.

W. G. Markham was heavily involved in the exportation of merinos to Australia. He convinced Australian wool growers that introducing American merinos into the Australia flock would increase their weight, and this was very successful. The purchaser here is Alfred Hay (1846 - 1918), the son of William Hay, who established Boomanoomana Station. Alfred Hay became sole owner of Boomanoomana Station in 1886, after the dissolution of the partnership between his father, himself, and brother. Boomanoomana Station at the time consisted of 33,000 acres of freehold, and about 5,000 acres of Crown lands.

Markham was mentioned in many articles about Australian wool growing. In the "Pacific Rural Press", Volume 36, Number 24, 15 December 1888, it reads: "We imagine it was this large purchase (of sheep) by Mr. (Samuel) McCaughey which started that genial globetrotter in the sheep interest, Mr. W. G. Markham of Western New York, on a pleasure trip to Australia last summer. Mr. Markham made us a call (in California) on his way out but did not disclose his business. We imagine that he went to see if there were any more sheep buyers like Mr. McCaughey in Australia, and turn their attention to the flock of Western New York as well as to those of the Green Mountain State. It might not be amiss for some of our California breeders to Blip over to the Island continent, just to see how things are over there." Samuel McCaughey, of Melbourne, was reputed to be the owner of a million sheep, and one of the most influential wool producers in Australia.

The pedigree published in New York, 1883. 17 pp text, with a fold-out pedigree of Ranzin 464. Oblong 12mo, orig. brown mat boards with gilt. "Compliments of W. G. Markham" on the front cover, black cloth spine. Slt. watermark on back board, otherwise pristine. Item #21373

Price: $475.00