Bishop of Tasmania's Visit to Bass Strait - The Cruise of the Beacon - association copy

A unique Tasmanian association copy with deep regional provenance

The Cruise of the Beacon is a narrative of a visit to the islands in Bass's Straits, featuring illustrations by the Right Rev. Francis R. Nixon, D.D., Bishop of Tasmania. Published in London in 1857, this particular volume boasts a remarkable, multi-layered colonial history.

Provenance & Association Elements:

• 1857 Presentation Inscription: Features an early contemporary gift inscription to "Julia" from the Venerable Archdeacon Davies (Rowland Robert Davies), dated 27 February 1857.
• K.R. von Stieglitz Library: Features the personal bookplate of celebrated Tasmanian regional historian Karl Rawdon von Stieglitz pasted to the front endpaper.
• Original 1964 Trade Letter: Includes a loose, original 1964 handwritten letter from von Stieglitz to an antiquarian trade client addressed as "Dear Dida," detailing the original commercial purchase of this volume alongside another title (letter shows insect damage).
• Working Historical Annotations: The biro research annotations and marks throughout the margins and inside the rear cover possibly represent the subsequent study of this text by the 1964 collector.

Bibliographic & Condition Notes:

• Publisher: Bell & Daldy, London (1857). First Edition.
• Collation: 114 pages, plus a bound-in 24-page publisher's June 1857 catalogue at the rear.
• Dimensions: Approximate size 19.5cm x 13cm.
• Defects: Lacks the large folding track-chart/map. Has replacement yellow endpapers. Bound in original blue cloth with faded spine gilt. While the internal woodcut illustrations remain generally clean with a little foxing, pages generally show edge wear, occasional marking, and many marginal biro study lines throughout the text.

This is an antiquarian book in heavily handled, used condition, offered as a unique historical archive piece. Please review our secondary photos of the inscriptions, bookplate, and text markings. You are welcome to contact the bookshop (Just Tassie Books at The Book Cellar) if you require any additional condition details before purchasing or to view the book in person.