Circa 40 printed items relating to the Van Diemen's Land Company, including forms, circulars, notices, prospectuses, reports, press reports, letterheads, etc.

The Van Diemen's Land Company was formed in 1824 by a group of London merchants, including Charles Richard Fenwick (1822-1888) and Thomas Dyer Edwardes (d.1912), to supply wool for the British textile industry. It received a Royal Charter the following year. In 1826 it was granted 350,000 acres in the northwest of the country. It established its headquarters at Circular Head. The company retains much of the original land grant and is believed to be the last chartered company still operating in Tasmania. The present collection, formerly part of the Webster Collection, derives from the Company itself. In good overall condition, with the text of all items clear and complete. On aged paper, with a few items grubby or lightly-creased. Company'. Five offprints of articles from the Financial Times relating to the Company, from 23 May 1913 ('Satisfactory Land Sales - Return of Capital Sanctioned'), 20 May 1915 ('Satisfactory Progress despite adverse Conditions - A valuable Property', 3 February 1916 ('Van Diemen's Land Co.'s Additional Powers Bill. Unanimous Approval is given by the Proprietors to Proposals of the Directors.'), 4 December 1924 ('Sale Agreement Unanimously Approved') and 3 November 1927 ('Terms of Provisional Sale Approved'). FIVE. A 'statement of affairs' (8vo, 1 p) addressed 'To the Proprietors' by W. Foley, Director and Secretary, dated '35, Copthall Avenue, London, E.C.2. 20th October, 1954.' Covering 'Management', 'Properties', 'Woolnorth', 'Circular Head Estate. Western Plains and Forest', 'Emu Bay Estate' and 'Finance'. Also included is an unused ledger of the Company, with printed columns and alphabetical thumb index, stamped in gilt on the front: ' THE VAN DIEMEN'S LAND CO. | COLONIAL TRANSFER BOOK'. Carrying label on front pastedown (dated in manuscript ''1916 | ELW | 24091') of Waterlow & Sons, Stationers, London Wall. A handsome, sturdy ledger, 38 x 26 cm, half bound in black calf with black cloth boards. Internally tight and clean. Binding with wear to spine, corners and front board. 'COLONIAL TRANSER BOOK' in gilt on spine. An initial ruled section, with alphabetical thumb-index, is followed by 102 numbered pages, with columns ruled in red with the printed headings: 'No. of transfer', 'Date', 'Transferor', 'Folio No.', 'Shares', 'Distinctive Nos. ['From.' and 'To']', 'List No. . . . . Transferer' and 'Folio No.' Also present are two letterheads of a subsidiary, The Burnie (Tasmania) Timber & Brick Company Limited.