Discovery of Australia

Component identifier:

Series 12

Content Summary:

On 19 January 1911 the Sydney Morning Herald published an article, headlined 'Australia was discovered in 1499 by Amerigo Vespucci, the Florentine.' This claim was made by Petherick after researches extending over 40 years. He had previously made the same suggestion in articles in the Melbourne Argus (13 June 1897) and The British Australasian (6 May 1897. He stated that the crowning proof was brought to light by Professor Estreichera at Cracow, in Poland (Athenaeum, London, 6 September 1902: 323-4)'.

This series comprises Petherick's correspondence, notes, drafts, of articles address, letters, and published material concerning this theory.

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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