Sir George Reid was a NSW Premier, co-drafter of the federal constitution, Australian Prime Minister and first High Commissioner to Great Britain.

Born in Scotland in 1845, Reid became the independent member for East Sydney in 1880. He was passionately committed to free trade and social liberalism and was critical of popular moves to restrict Chinese immigration. He remained independent and largely non-aligned in the factional disputes that characterised NSW politics in the 1880s and 1890s. Nevertheless he managed to get elected as leader of the opposition Free Trade Party in 1891. The party was successful at the 1894 election and Reid was NSW Premier for the next 5 years.

Reid announced his support for a second federation convention, to which he was appointed a delegate. Throughout the negotiations on federation, Reid's concerns for protecting the rights of the states were paramount. He was concerned with the 'undemocratic' power to amend money bills given to smaller states in the Senate. He was opposed to federal tariffs that, again, would 'unfairly' tax the more populous NSW.

Despite these reservations he gave his reluctant support to the constitution in a speech delivered at the Sydney Town Hall in 1898. But because Reid also used the opportunity to restate his concerns, Reid himself was given the nick-name 'Yes-No Reid'. In NSW the subsequent referendum majority was too slim for ratification. In a second referendum in 1899 NSW voted to ratify the constitution, thanks to amendments negotiated by Reid.

Reid was forced to resign as Premier in 1899, and so missed out on becoming the country's first Prime Minister. He did become Prime Minister in 1904 but in less than a year he resigned after losing a censure vote. Reid was appointed as the first High Commissioner in London in 1909.

Sir George Reid is remembered as a caricature of the Victorian public man. Undoubtedly his vast bulk, walrus-style moustache and wire framed glasses have contributed to this lasting impression. Indeed these characteristics formed the basis of many contemporary caricatures. His oratorial skills, his quick wit and earthy humour at the podium have also contributed to this picture of genial buffoonery. However Reid was a very able politician who used humour and oratory to great effect. His influence in the federation movement and the drafting of the constitution has also been overshadowed in the public memory by the position accorded Henry Parkes. Reid's biogapher W.G. McMinn, however, regards Reid as the 'father of federation'.

The inkstand was made in London in 1808. It bears an inscription which indicates that it is a piece commemorating the death of Jane Marten in 1809 at age 34. It is not known who Jane Marten was. The other inscriptions indicate that the piece was re-dedicated, inscribed again and presented to Reid at the federation of Australia's colonies on 1st January 1901. Reid's descendents believe that it was presented by Lord Hopetoun, Australia's first Governor-General.

The inkstand was made in London in 1808. TIAS valuer Alan Landis has suggested that the stopper on the middle inkwell is possibly a later replacement.

The middle inscription on this inkstand indicates that it is a piece commemorating the death of Jane Marten in 1809 at age 34 ('Obt' is the Latin abbreviation for 'he died' from obiit). It is unclear who Jane Marten was. The other inscriptions indicate that the piece was rededicated, inscribed again and re-presented to Reid at the Federation of Australia's colonies on 1st January 1901. Anne Fairbairn believes that Lord Hopetoun (John Adrian Louis Hope), Australia's first Governor-General, presented the inkstand to her grandfather.
Sir George Reid (1845-1918) was a premier of NSW and co-drafter of the federal Constitution. Born in Scotland, he became the independent member for East Sydney in 1880. Reid was passionately committed to free trade and social liberalism and was critical of popular moves to restrict Chinese migration. He was elected as leader of the opposition Free Trade Party in 1891. The party was successful at the 1894 election and Reid was NSW Premier for the next five years.
Reid took an active role in federation negotiations and was a delegate to the second federation convention. In a speech given at Sydney's Town Hall in 1898, Reid gave reluctant support to the constitution. When NSW voted to ratify the constitution at the second referendum in 1899 it was largely thanks to the amendments negotiated by Reid.
Reid was forced to resign as Premier in 1899 and therefore missed out on becoming Australia's first Prime Minister. He subsequently became Prime Minister in 1904 but resigned after less than a year. In 1909 he was appointed the first High Commissioner to London.

Inkstand set (7 pieces), presented to Sir George Reid at the Federation of Australia's colonies on 1 January 1901, silver/glass, London, England, 1808-1901
The inkstand consists of three cut glass bottles with silver lids, which sit within a silver stand. The first glass bottle is round with a plain silver lid, and was probably intended to contain lead shot, which was used to clean clotted ink from the nibs of pens. The centre glass bottle is square with a conical silver stopper, and contained ink. The glass bottle itself has four differently sized holes on the top surface which allowed resting pens or quills to drain into the bottle. The remaining glass bottle is round with a perforated silver lid, and contained the pound powder or fine sand used to smooth the paper prior to writing and to avoid ink runs. The silver stand has raised settings for the three bottles and two inset grooves for pens or quills. The raised settings can be removed for cleaning with the extraction of two pins beneath the stand. There are three inscriptions on the stand, one within each bottle setting. The left setting contains Reid's initials, 'G. H. R.'. The middle setting contains the inscription 'Jane Marten Obt 27th Feby 1809. At 34'. Within the right setting is the date '1st Jany 1901'. The stand has a scalloped edge and four feet.
(-1) Silver stand
(-2) Round glass bottle
(-3) Plain silver lid
(-4) Square glass bottle
(-5) Conical silver stopper
(-6) Round glass bottle
(-7) Perforated silver lid

Maker: unknown; London, England; 1808 - 1901


User: Reid, George; Australia

Owner: Marten, Jane; London, England

Owner: Hope, John Adrian Louis; London, England

Owner: Reid, George; London, England

See parts

97/232/5

1808 - 1901

80 mm

217 mm

75 mm