1913 In The Land Of Pearl & Gold by A. MacDonald Antique Australian History Book

Drawing upon personal experience, MacDonald describes encounters with miners, stockmen, pearlers, missionaries and Aboriginal Australians while reflecting on the opportunities and dangers of exploration in the tropics. The work is richly illustrated throughout with photographic plates that complement the text and document many of the people, landscapes and industries encountered during his journeys. While some attitudes and terminology reflect the conventions of its Edwardian period, the book remains an important historical source for understanding Australia's northern frontier, the pearling industry and early European exploration of New Guinea.

Published by T. Fisher Unwin, London, this copy is the 1913 second impression of the 1907 first edition, presented in its attractive original decorated green cloth bindings. It is complete with all 17 photographic illustrations and plates as called for, adding significantly to its historical and collector appeal. The volume also carries an attractive Sunday School prize presentation label dated 1 December 1918 from Holy Trinity, Oakleigh (Melbourne), providing an appealing piece of Australian provenance. Today, In The Land Of Pearl And Gold is regarded as one of the more desirable early Australian travel narratives, sought after by collectors of exploration, New Guinea, pearling history and Australian frontier literature."