Experiences of a Colonist Forty Years Ago; A Journey from Port Phillip to South Australia in 1839; and A Voyage from Port Phillip to Adelaide in 1846. By an Old Hand

Adelaide: J. Williams, Printer [for the Author], 1880. 2nd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Adelaide, J. Williams, Printer [for the Author], 1880 [second edition]/ 1879. Octavo, [viii], 84; 80; and 23 pages plus 3 albumen paper photographs of 5 drawings on 3 unnumbered leaves. Gilt- and blind-stamped blue cloth a little bumped and rubbed at the extremities, with minor wear to the corners; spine sunned, with a slightly lighter spot near the centre where a paper label (an old auction lot number) has been removed; front cover has some light stains on it where something has been spilt (removing some of the gilt from the top left-hand border); rear flyleaf removed, with offsetting to the final page; a very good copy (internally excellent). The particulars of the photographs match those given in Holden (where the discrepancy in the number of plates present as against listed is explained). The plates are of drawings by Hamilton; he contributed similar sketches to the published journals of Grey and Eyre. The first edition was not photographically illustrated. This copy is inscribed in ink on the front flyleaf 'From G. Hamilton to Capt Dashwood with the Author's best wishes, 22 Dec 1880'. George Frederick Dashwood (1806-1881) arrived in South Australia in the early 1840s; in 1843, he 'was appointed one of the four non-official nominees in South Australia's first Legislative Council.... From 1847 to 1852 he was commissioner of police' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography'). George Hamilton (1812-1883) succeeded him in that role in 1867, retiring the year before his death. He arrived in Adelaide in 1839 when he overlanded cattle along Charles Bonney's southern route. A most satisfying association copy, presented from one significant pioneer to another in the twilight of their lives. Ferguson 10184 (inadequately describing the plates); Holden 49.