Essays and Miscellaneous Pieces by the late Edward R. Stephenson. With a preface by his friend, C. Todd ...
Adelaide, Andrews, Thomas, and Clark, 1865.
Octavo, [ii], viii, 118 pages with 2 mounted albumen paper photographs (one a portrait of Stephenson, 87 x 57 mm; the other is of a sketch, presumably by Stephenson, 103 x 57 mm). (Ferguson 16245 records six pages of reviews in what must be a later impression; this copy has the reviews loosely inserted as an 8-page pamphlet).
Original blind-stamped cloth; a fine copy. One of the earliest Australian imprints illustrated with original photographs (see Holden: 'Photography in Colonial Australia', 1988, where it is incorrectly referred to in the text and index as Stevensen). The first essay, the St Peter's Collegiate School Prize Essay of 1864, is entitled 'The Difficulties of Colonization in the Northern Territory' (17 pages); another two pages are devoted to the importance of the acquisition of the Northern Territory to South Australia.
Almost half the book (58 pages) is given over to verse by Stephenson, who died at the age of 18 in May 1865. With a contemporary inscription (in Charles Todd's hand?) to 'Lizzie Todd 4th Decr 1865' in ink on an early blank; the pamphlet has 'for dear Lizzie' in pencil at the head.
Item #29145
Price (AUD):
$2,000.00