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“The West Bourke Plate Galop” [Sir William John Clarke]

c1878-1882. Sheet music in letterpress with albumen paper photograph laid down on cover, signed by a “Jane W., Smith” and photographer’s line “Foster & Martin” in ink upper right and on photograph lower right, 7.5 x 6.3cm (photograph), 36.6 x 27.1cm (paper). Slight foxing and soiling, minor tears to edges, slight surface loss to photograph.

Text continues “Composed by Alfred Plumpton. To the Hon. W.J. Clarke. Nicholson & Ascherberg. Melbourne, 45 & 47 Collins St East. Sydney, 317 George St. Pianoforte & organ galleries. C. Troedel & Co. Lith. Held in NLA.

The photograph is a portrait of William John Clarke (1831-1897), who in 1874 became the largest landowner in the colony, inheriting his father’s Victorian properties worth about £1,500,000. He became well-known for his interest and support of scientific farming and was on several Victorian agricultural societies’ committees including being president of the Society for West Bourke from 1874 to 1891. He was a great philanthropist and a prominent supporter of various sports. Ref: ADB.

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Item #CL181-71

Price (AUD): $880.00  other currencies