AUSTRALASIAN

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.

On one side each of five 46 x 14.5 cm slips of paper. Good: slightly aged and with rusting to staple. Begins 'Much comment having appeared in the Press during the last three years on the subject of a breach by the Government of Queensland of the contracts contained in the Pastoral Leases issued by that State, it is thought that a clear [altered from 'careful'] statement of the facts of the case would be useful to Bankers, Brokers and others having financial interests in Queensland. The facts of the case are set out in the following statement: - [...]'.

4to, 8 pp. Stapled. In original brown printed wraps. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Bumped at head of spine. Inscription on inside of front wrap reads 'To - Captain H. T. B. Drew In appreciation of his unfailing interest & support - from the first of this Movement, & in the London Memorial to the Founder of Australia, Admiral Arthur Phillip RN | From, - his grateful friend [signed] D. Hope Johnston. of The Royal Empire Society London & The Pioneers Club. Sydney N.S.W.' Phillip was Johnston's great-grandfather. Drew was a New Zealand author.

12mo bifolium: 3 pp, with reverse of second leaf blank. Unbound. Good, on lightly aged and spotted paper. Names the officers on p.1, and gives the nine articles of consitution on pp.2 and 3. Small circular red stamp of the Webster Collection (no. 4156) in bottom right-hand corner of reverse of second leaf. No copy listed on COPAC.