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An almost-lifesize vintage portrait photograph of Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790-1875), 'one of the most important pioneers of South Australia' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography')

An almost-lifesize vintage portrait photograph of Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790-1875), 'one of the most important pioneers of South Australia' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography')

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An almost-lifesize vintage portrait photograph of Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790-1875), 'one of the most important pioneers of South Australia' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography')

by FISHER, Sir James Hurtle

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Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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About This Item

The very fine portrait (visible image size 545 × 395 mm, in its original ornate gilt frame, external dimensions 740 × 595 mm) is exquisitely hand-painted and signed by the famous colonial photographer, Townsend Duryea (1823-1888). His original label is affixed to the paper backing on the verso of the frame ('T. Duryea, Artist Photographer, 66 and 68 King William Street, Adelaide'), and in our opinion, he has created a masterpiece as both artist and photographer with this work. James Hurtle Fisher commenced practice as a solicitor in London in 1816 and 'was drawn into the colonizing movement in 1835.... [He] was selected as resident commissioner, one of the most important offices under the South Australian Act ... second only to the governor'. Fisher 'left England in July 1836 with the governor's party in the "Buffalo", arriving on 28 December 1836 at Holdfast Bay, where the official oaths were administered, a proclamation was read and a ceremony marked the beginning of settlement. In January 1837 Fisher erected his reed hut and Land Office near the survey camp of Colonel William Light at the north-western corner of the new capital site; the destruction of these temporary buildings by fire on 23 January 1839 caused both men serious loss. Fisher had been allowed to draft his own instructions, which were not shown to Governor [Sir] John Hindmarsh. Disputes between the two men over their respective powers had begun on the voyage and were soon revived in the new Council of Government, and more violently outside, and led in February 1837 to the Resident Magistrate's Court binding the participants over to keep the peace towards each other.... The new governor, George Gawler, was appointed both governor and resident commissioner, a radical departure from the principles on which the colony had been founded' (ADB). Fisher returned to his profession, and became a leader of the South Australian Bar. In October 1840 he was elected first mayor of Adelaide; in 1860 he became the first resident South Australian to be knighted. Townsend Duryea was at the King William Street address from 1858 until his illustrious career as a photographer 'was cut short when his studio and entire collection of 50,000 negatives were destroyed by fire on 18 April 1875' (ADB). We suggest as a date for this magnificent portrait 'circa 1870'.

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Details

Seller
Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers AU (AU)
Seller's Inventory #
108073
Title
An almost-lifesize vintage portrait photograph of Sir James Hurtle Fisher (1790-1875), 'one of the most important pioneers of South Australia' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography')
Author
FISHER, Sir James Hurtle
Book Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Bookseller catalogs
South Australia;

Terms of Sale

Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers

If found to be incorrectly described, goods may be returned, provided notification is given within seven days of receipt. Postage and insurance are extra; uninsured parcels are sent at the purchaser's risk.

About the Seller

Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2006
Adelaide, South Australia

About Michael Treloar Antiquarian Booksellers

The business was established in Adelaide in March 1976 and is a longstanding member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB) and the Australian Antique Dealers Association (AADA). A large out-of-print and antiquarian stock is maintained at our retail outlet in the centre of Adelaide; mail-order catalogues of our specializations are issued and a representative selection of our stock is online.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Verso
The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
Gilt
The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
New
A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
Fine
A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...

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