Coolgardie Gold : Personal Record (with) manuscript letter from the author dated November 1937 and Bookplate of John Kirwan
London: Arthur H. Stockwell, (1937) -1940. 1st ed., octavo, original green cloth boards with gilt-stamped title upper board and spine, pp 223. With the bookplate of the Hon. Sir John Kirwan front endpaper (and bookplate of a member of the W.A. Historical Society front free endpaper). Clipping about the book from the publisher tipped-in, with a hand-written date in 1940 added. Also tipped-in is a letter from Albert Gaston to Sir John Kirwan, thanking him for the contribution of his Preface: "... it shows the old Coolgardie spirit still lives". This interesting letter (and the date of the clipping) also clears up previous confusion in library catalogues about whether the book was first published in 1937 or 1940: from the content of the letter, dated November 12 1937 (Balrootan North, Victoria), it appears that although Kirwan's preface is dated in August 1937 Gaston was having some difficulty publishing the manuscript: ".... I feel sure it would make a place for itself, as I think it would appeal to almost everyone in the outback, especially the back country of Western Australia where there must still be many of my old friends of the early Coolgardie days." First editions of "Coolgardie Gold" are scarce, and this association copy is unique.
From the library of Sir John Kirwan (1869 - 1949), who edited goldfields newspapers during the goldrush, was elected first Federal member for Kalgoorlie in the Australian House of Representatives and later became the President of the Western Australian Legislative Council. "Coolgardie Gold" is an account of the 1890s goldrush in Western Australia, by Albert Gaston (1872 - 1951). The author walked from York to Coolgardie (Fly Flat) when gold was first reported by explorers / prospectors Arthur Bayley and William Ford in September 1892. The story deals with the growth of Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie and Boulder City: it vividly describes the mining towns and the author's hardships and risks, failures and successes. Item #105640
Price (AUD):
$1,200.00
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