A New and Correct History of New Holland, with a Description of that Part of it called Botany Bay, And particularly Port Jackson...
Glasgow: James Duncan, junior, book-seller, Saltmarket, 1796. A rare small item, informing the Scots of what their convicted relatives might be facing in Botany Bay. It has an almost affectionate account of the natives of New South Wales, their customs, weapons, way of life and even personalities encountered in Broken Bay and elsewhere.
The chapter entitled "Description of the natives, &c." (pp28-36) includes detailed descriptions of the Australian aborigines as first encountered,""Their skin is of the colour of wood soot, or which would be called a dark chocolate colour. Their hair is black, but not woolly; it is short, but not cropt; in som lank, in others curled. Some parts of their bodies are painted red; and the upper lip and breast of some are painted with streaks of white. Their features are far from disagreeable; and their teeth even and white. Their voices are soft and tuneable... "
Ferguson 247; Nan Kivel Collection NK2197; OCLC: 220098290 citing NLA & SLNSW; King's College London Library; none in the U.S. No copies recorded as appearing at auction on Rarebookhub.
12mo, 72pp. It lacks the frontispiece "Natives of New Holland," which is supplied in facsimile. The copy at the SLNSW also lacks the frontis. Period full tan calf, simple gilt rules on spine very faint. Signed on the ffep "Samuel Greene's Property, 11th July 1800" and signed again at the top of the title page. Title page a bit browned, tanned overall. Remnants of the tab where the frontispiece once resided, lower corners ruffled.
The secondary title continues:- "Where the Convicts from this Country are sent, and the British Settlement formed. Together with An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants, and also of the Climate and Soil of that Country. Collected from authentic Authors and original Papers."
A simple period copy of a rare appearance on the market. Item #23649
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