North-West Exploration. Journal of Expedition from DeGrey to Port Darwin...
Perth, Western Australia: Government Paper, 1880. Richard Pether. Hardcover book. Folio, 44pp, folding map, 8 lithographic plates with block colour. Bound in an early library cloth binding with title on the spine. Bound in the front is a British governmental hand written letter from Mr Ommany, Crown Agent for the Colonies ,dated October 1880, presenting the copy to the Manchester Free Library at the direction of the Governor of Western Australia. There is a library bookplate in the front cover otherwise a fine clean copy with a secondary folding of the map.
The exceedingly rare report by Alexander Forrest, younger brother of John Forrest. The summary on Trove states the Alexander "did his most memorable exploratory work in the north-west, especially on this 1879 expedition he led from the De Grey River to the Telegraph Line and Port Darwin...This was one of the most important expeditions undertaken in the north-west of the continent and was of considerable importance in opening up the interior."
The map covers the territory from Dampier Archipelago (Roebourne) into the Northern Territory, just south of Port Darwin. The geographical descriptions are very specific and most interesting. 201 campsites & countryside features are listed in a table below the map. The comments are very specific & are keyed into the map with numbers. For example, F16 reads: "Native well, 8' deep, good supply of fresh water, splendid grass around well, pile of stones 14 chains north on NW end of low ironstone range." Insets on the map are "Geological Features from Data by F.W. Hill" and "Part of Australia showing the Route of the Expedition".
Forrest's Journal is unusually attractive for a government-printed expedition account, and is illustrated with early Perth printed lithographs after sketches by Henry Charles Prinsep. Prinsep (1844-1922), who had studied art in London, Heidleberg and Dresden as well as studying law at Oxford, emigrated to the Swan River Colony in 1866. He joined the Lands and Surveys Department as a draughtsman, later becoming head of the Mines Department and chief protector of the Aborigines. The plates are- First Arrival at the Fitzroy; The St. George Ranges; Fitzroy River; Devil's Creek, King Leopold Ranges; Approaching King Leopold Ranges; Party Returning Down King Leopold Ranges; King Leopold Ranges; Arrival at Telegraph Station, Southport, N.T.
Western Australia. Parliamentary paper ; No. 3, 1880. Sml. folio, 44pp (last blank), 8 two-toned lithographic plates & large folding lithograph map of the north-west of Western Australia, measuring 19 1/2 x 33". This copy lacking the original card covers but complete and sewn with the original stitching. Folding map tipped on to front cover/title page. Pages a bit dusty with a couple of brown spots; back plate slt. chipped in margin; plates have 1/2" light damp mark in the top margin, not affecting the image. 2 small closed tears less than 1" repaired. Previous owner - Absolon collection, dated 1917.
Libraries Australia ID 4100194. Ferguson, J.A. Bibliography of Australia, 9679a; Wantrup, J. Australian rare books, 1788-1900, 195. Very good condition. Item #28775
Price: $2,500.00