Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land - Eustace Fitz-Symonds - Limited No 90 of 500

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Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land – Eustace Fitz-Symonds – Limited No 90 of 500

Short Description

Published by Sullivans Cove, 1977 title continues ... A Collection of choice petitions, memorials and letters of protest and request from the convict colony of Van Diemen’s Land; written by divers person’s both eminent and lowly.

A fine copy of a folio edition limited to 500 (this being no 90) carrying the bookplate of collector Harold Royle. Dust jacket now protected in fine condition. Mortmain (Dead Hand)

A veritable potpourri of historical documents of interest and humour. A goldmine of stories, both grave and gay, of those early days in the history of Tasmania when men and women practised terrible savageries on each other.

Members of the convict community had to obtain permission to marry. When Norah Corbett petitioned Governor Arthur for permission to marry Jorgen Jorgensen, the police magistrate of the Oatlands District, R. Anstey, warned Jorgensen his ruin was inevitable if he married the woman, as the woman was much addicted to liquor and had a propensity to beat and scratch the back of her lover when she was intoxicated. Arthur allowed them to marry on the condition they exchange vows that they would love and cherish each other from that day forward to the exclusion of all others.

As a contrast - a letter from John Gould listing the marsupial specimens he would like (including the Thylacine in male and female form) and that he would pay for the effort involved.

And many, many more

Real history in fine condition

A heavy book that will require an overseas freight supplement ... please enquire

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