Original Consignment

Component identifier:

Class MS 760

Content Summary:

Comprises E.A. Petherick's correspondence concerning business affairs as a bookseller in London, 1870-1900, letters to his father, 1870-1877, letters relating to his collection, 1875-1914, to its presentation to the Commonwealth Parliament, and to his subsequent work as Archivist. The collection also comprises Petherick's working notes and drafts for his publications including "European enterprises in Australia" and for his "Bibliography of Australasia", press cuttings and biographical material. A large part of the papers comprise original manuscripts acquired by Petherick, transcripts of historical documents, and the manuscript of his unpublished, "Bibliography of Australasia".

Contained in 16 boxes, 92 binders and 2 folio items.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Edward Augustus Petherick presented his collection of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps and pictures relating to Australia and the Pacific to the Commonwealth Parliament in 1909 as the 'Nucleus of an historical museum'. The agreement between Petherick and the Library Committee was formalized by the Petherick Act, which was passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in 1911.

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