Sketchbook of W.G. a'Beckett, 1854-1884

Containers:

Box 9

Component identifier:

File 3

Content Summary:

Notes inside the front cover list the works as done at Melbourne 1854, Ventnor (Isle of Wight) 1857, London 1855-60, Creswick 1864 and St. Kilda 1867-68. Ink drawings (almost caricatures) of characters, a few with added watercolour and some unfinished pencil sketches, many on blue sheets pasted in. Some are identified as copies from Thackeray's 'The tremendous adventures of Major Gahagan'; there is also a work from Strutt's Native Police series from Ham's Magazine, without acknowledgement of the artist. The sketches are followed by a ms story, untitled, that begins 'Poor George he was much to be pitied...' and concludes 'George put on his hat and walked off'.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of Martin Boyd that were retained by his sister, Lady Nolan (nee Mary Boyd), following his death in 1972 and after her death in 2016 by her immediate family from whom the collection was acquired.

Subjects:

Arts

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