Edward Hargraves (1816-1891) claimed to be the first to discover gold in Australia when, on 12 February 1851, he found grains of gold in Summer Hill Creek outside Bathurst, New South Wales. In fact, Aboriginal people were well aware of a shiny gold mineral that could be found along rivers and in rocks. In 1823, James McBrien, was the first European to discover gold when he was employed by the government to survey land around Bathurst. But Hargraves, having prospected on the Californian goldfields, was aware both of how simple it was to find gold and how many people would rush to the site of these discoveries hoping to make their fortune.

This account of Australian gold discoveries was written by Hargraves four years after his gold finds and sought to capitalise on his official recognition as the discoverer of gold in New South Wales. In the Preface, he describes the work as 'a faithful record of the circumstances which led to, and attended, my discovery of the Gold Fields of Australia.' He goes on to describe the many awards and honours given to him, including a gold cup presented by the town of Sydney, a gold cup from Melbourne filled with sovereigns and a silver tea and breakfast service given by Bathurst.

By the time Hargraves published this book, he was living in great style in London on the 10,000 pound reward he had received from the government of New South Wales. He entertained lavishly, met the Queen and in two years spent 3,000 pounds. He continued in the same style on his return from London and by the 1860s was almost penniless.

The book was written by Edward Hammond Hargraves, "the late Commissioner of Crown Lands in New South Wales".

The book was printed by Taylor and Greening, Graystoke Place, Fetter Lane, and published by H Ingram and Co, Milford House, Strand, London, England. The portait of Hargraves was printed by Maclure Macdonald & Macgregor, London, and the map of Australia by Swinford Bros, 276 Strand, London.

Book, Hargraves, Edward 'Australia and its Goldfields: a historical sketch...a particular account of the recent gold discoveries', paper/cloth, Ingram, England, 1855
(Part 1) Book, 'Australia and its Goldfields: A historical sketch of the Australian colonies from the earliest times to the present day with a particular account of the recent gold discoveries...', by Edward H Hargraves, published by H Ingram and Co, London, England, 1855. Blue cloth cover, the front is stamped with foliate designs in each corner and the unofficial Australian coat of arms at the centre bottom, the title 'Australia and its Goldfields' and the author's name 'E H Hargraves' are stamped in gilt lettering on the spine. Contains 240 numbered pages of text, illustrated with a black and white portait of Hargraves and a colour, fold-out map of Australia, with the gold fields marked on it. The portrait is a little spotted but otherwise an excellent copy.
(Part 2) Jacket cover of synthetic polymer film, fits over cloth cover.

Designer: Hargraves, Edward H

Maker: Taylor and Greening; London, England; 1855

Maker: H Ingram And Co; London, England; 1855

Maker: Maclure Macdonald & Macgregor; London, England; 1855

Maker: Swinford Bros; London, England; 1855

Printed on title page: "AUSTRALIA AND ITS GOLDFIELDS:/ A HISTORICAL SKETCH/ OF THE/ PROGRESS OF THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES, FROM THE EARLIEST/ TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY;/ WITH A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF/ THE RECENT GOLD DISCOVERIES;/ AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT ASPECT OF THE LAND QUESTION./ TO WHICH ARE ADDED/ NOTICES ON THE USE AND WORKING OF GOLD IN ANCIENT/ AND MODERN TIMES;/ AND AN/ EXAMINATION OF THE THEORIES AS TO THE/ SOURCES OF GOLD./ BY/ EDWARD HAMMOND HARGRAVES/ Late Comminsioner of Crown Lands in New South Wales./ WITH A MAP, AND A PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR./ LONDON:/ H. INGRAM AND CO., MILFORD HOUSE, STRAND. 1855."; Printed on the back of the title page: "LONDON:/ PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND GREENING, GRAYSTOKE PLACE, FETTER LANE."; Printed in the bottom left corner of the fold-out map: "Swinford Bros [hth] 276 Strand"; Printed opposite the portrait of Hargraves: "Maclure. Macdonald & Magregor. London"; Handwritten in pencil on front end paper "$650".

94/188/2

270 mm