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Harry Garlick (Aust., 1878–1910).

“The Discontented ‘Roo” [Poem]

1903. Ink and wash with highlight, artwork for publication, three handwritten stanzas, signed and dated lower centre, 35.4 x 29.5cm. Foxing, discolouration, laid down on original backing. Framed.

This illustrated poem was published in the The Town and Country Journal, Christmas issue, 1903. The verses read “‘Alas’, sighed the ‘Roo as he gazed at his tail / I could wish for a better design; / Why, one like a dingo would much more avail; / Or perhaps, in the marmoset line? / Or, may be, a tiger’s to lash in the air, / To put fright in my enemies’ eyes; / Or a peacock’s to spread all about ev’ry where / Or a horse’s to drive away flies. / Or a curly-up one, a la pug, understand; / How I’d dote on its beautiful loop, / Or a rabbit’s, or cow’s, They / were all better plann’d / Than a tail that is famous / FOR SOUP.”

The National Gallery of Australia holds work by Harry Garlick, with the comment “As a young man he travelled each week from Orange to Bathurst to attend painting classes with Sydney painter Arthur Collingridge. After relocating to Sydney from Orange in 1896 he attended night classes with Julian Ashton, worked as a clerk and occasionally published drawings and cartoons in The Bulletin.

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Item #CL201-20

Price (AUD): $2,200.00  other currencies