Prelude To Federation 1884 - 1898 - Extracts From The Journal Of James Backhouse Walker
Edited by Peter Benson Walker
Published by OBM Publishing Company: Hobart 1976 1st Edition
Limited Edition Number 313 of 500 - Signed by Editor
"This finely produced Tasmanian limited edition presents a compelling window into the formative years leading toward Australian Federation, drawing directly from the journals of James Backhouse Walker—lawyer, historian, and keen observer of colonial society. Covering the critical years 1884 to 1898, Walker's writings capture the political conversations, social tensions, and evolving identity of the Australian colonies as they moved—sometimes hesitantly—toward unity. His perspective, grounded in both professional insight and personal reflection, lends the work an immediacy and authenticity that more formal histories often lack.
Edited by Peter Benson Walker, this 1976 Hobart publication carefully curates and contextualises these journal extracts, preserving their historical integrity while making them accessible to modern readers. The inclusion of a portrait frontispiece and the restrained, elegant presentation reflect the publisher's intention to honour both the subject and the period. Particularly valuable are Walker's observations on Tasmanian affairs within the broader intercolonial movement, offering a regional lens on what would become a defining national transformation.
Issued as a limited edition of just 500 copies, this example—numbered 313 and signed by the editor—adds a layer of collectability to an already desirable historical work. Such editions appeal strongly to collectors of Tasmaniana and Australian Federation material, as well as those interested in primary-source accounts of late 19th-century colonial life.
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Light wear and fading to dustjacket. No inscriptions. Signed by Editor. A nice clean copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
