Governor Davey’s Proclamation To The Aborigines, 1816
1931. Process lithograph with added hand-colouring, text including date below image, 30.9 x 18.3cm. Foxing, minor crinkles to edges. Framed. Text includes “Souvenir of the Art, Antique, and Historical Exhibition, Hobart, 1931.” This proclamation “presents a four-strip pictogram that attempts to explain the idea of equality under the law. Those who committed violent crimes in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania), be they Aboriginal Australian or European settler, would be punished in the same way.” Incorrectly attributed to Governor Thomas Davey (1758–1823), this proclamation is in fact by Governor George Arthur (1784–1854) from around 1828. The proclamation first appeared painted on a timber board, designed by George Frankland in 1829, and around 100 copies in oil were subsequently produced to be hung on trees. In 1866 the proclamation board was reproduced as a lithograph for display and sale at the Intercolonial Exhibition held in Melbourne. It was mistakenly attributed to Thomas Davey’s governorship of Van Diemen’s Land from 1812 to 1817. The lithographs were reissued again in 1867 for the Paris Exposition Universelle and are now erroneously known as Governor Davey’s Proclamation. This lithograph, possibly the last issue, was printed for an exhibition in Hobart in 1931. At least four variant lithographic images are held in SLNSW, NGA, NLA, NMA, AWM. Ref: Wiki.
Item #CL205-40
Price (AUD): $1,350.00 other currencies