Photographs of New South Wales. 1892 [cover title of an impressive album]

Sydney: Charles Potter, Government Printer, 1892. First Edition. Hardcover. Sydney, Charles Potter, Government Printer, 1892. A very large oblong folio album (400 × 525 × 110 mm), containing 100 large-format high-gloss gelatin silver photographs (approximately 335 × 277 mm or the reverse) mounted recto and verso on 50 thick card album leaves, with attractive calligraphic captions written in ink on the bottom margin of each mount. Full morocco (with the title in gilt on the front panel) extensively decorated in gilt and blind, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt; scattered foxing to the margins of most mounts; slight fading around the edges of most plates; however, overall, this massive album has a superb binding in exceptional condition, and the plate contents are in excellent order. Mounted on the front pastedown is a leather presentation plate to 'The Lady Evelyn Gathorne Hardy | From George R. Dibbs'. Sir George Richard Dibbs (1834-1904) was Premier of NSW on three occasions (1885, 1889, and 1891-94). 'Dibbs visited London in 1892 hoping to improve his health and to convince critics that the Australian colonies were not extravagant or over-solicitous of their working classes. To English audiences he insisted on the purity and economy of administration in New South Wales, the security of its lands and public works, and the responsibility of its trades unions. He had promised Barton to speak "in quiet style and with moderation" and on the tour he was never a prey to his temper. Although he made little progress in his financial business, his ease and tact won good opinions for himself and sympathy for the colony. Yet his steps in other areas threw his ministerial colleagues into alarm. His plans to persuade the French government to cease convict transportation to New Caledonia were thought to include recognition of a French protectorate in the New Hebrides; he cabled back, "total misapprehension", and abandoned his visit to Paris. Provocatively he accepted a knighthood, finally on the insistence of the Queen and from her hands, but against the advice of Barton who thought refusal would be a politically inspiring gesture. To Dibbs his reception in England was "like a dream" but he was not carried away by vanity. He was accused of succumbing to the aristocratic embrace and of apostasy to his republicanism, but it was "only skin deep" and reflected the common colonial belief in eventual independence; in London he was careful to avoid identification with the Imperial Federation League' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography').

The recipient was Margaret Evelyn Gathorne-Hardy (1858-1943), eldest daughter of the 1st Earl of Cranbrook. The NSW connection seems to have come about thus: George Joachim Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen (1866-1952) 'was a British Conservative politician who served as Member of Parliament for East Grinstead from 1895 to 1906, and as Governor of Madras from 1924 to 1929. In 1929, he was appointed acting Viceroy of India'.

'Goschen fell in love with Lady Margaret Evelyn Gathorne-Hardy, the eldest of the five children of the Earl of Cranbrook, who was eight years older than he was, but still desired to marry her. His father, the 1st Viscount, was, however, strongly opposed to their marriage and used his influence to get an appointment for his son as a Private Secretary to Lord Jersey, the Governor of New South Wales in Australia. Goschen calmly obeyed his father's orders and worked in Australia from 1890 to 1892. On his return from Australia, however, he married Margaret in 1893' (Wikipedia).

The best of the photographs are the 24 often-busy streetscapes, two of Redfern Railway Station and yards, two of Circular Quay, one of the Darling Harbour wharves, and one of Woolloomooloo from The Domain. There are some 60 photographs of public buildings, schools and institutions, and banks and other commercial properties; on more than a few occasions, the ephemeral details in the surroundings make them images of greater interest and lasting value. No album of the period would be complete without a suite of views from the Botanic Gardens (mercifully only eight this time), or a couple of images of statues of worthy pioneers. The last plate is really the only surprise inclusion: captioned 'Champion Rowing Course, Parramatta River', it features a quaint steam launch making its way across the water.