Three Elephant Power And Other Stories
By A.B. Paterson
Published by Angus & Robertson Ltd: Sydney 1917 1st Edition
In Original Cloth Bindings
"Published in Sydney by Angus & Robertson in 1917, Three Elephant Power and Other Stories represents A. B. "Banjo" Paterson's principal collection of prose fiction and demonstrates that the celebrated poet of The Man From Snowy River was equally adept as a storyteller. Bringing together nineteen tales previously scattered through newspapers and magazines, the volume captures the humour, eccentricity and distinctive voices of rural Australia. The title story, centred upon the arrival of a motor car in the bush, reflects the changing face of the country while retaining the author's characteristic wit and affection for outback life.
Unlike Paterson's better-known verse collections, this work showcases his skill in crafting lively short stories populated by bush characters, stockmen, horsemen, show-ring competitors and colourful local identities. Stories such as The Cast-Iron Canvasser, The Bullock, White-When-He's-Wanted and Done for the Double reveal the keen observation and understated humour that made Paterson one of Australia's most beloved writers. Contemporary reviewers praised the collection for its authenticity and remarked that there was "not a dull yarn from cover to cover", recognising the author's remarkable ability to capture the speech and spirit of the Australian people.
This 1917 first edition is preserved in its original cloth bindings and is further enhanced by the accompanying contemporary newspaper obituary clipping recording Paterson's death in February 1941, an evocative piece of associated ephemera linking the volume directly to the public mourning of one of Australia's literary giants. Increasingly difficult to locate in attractive original condition, Three Elephant Power and Other Stories remains an important and highly collectible work within the Banjo Paterson canon and an essential addition to collections of Australian literature and Australiana."
Light wear to the cover and spine. Related newspaper clipping as shown. Foxing to prelims otherwise pages clean and well presented. A nice copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
Size 18.5cm x 15cm x 2cm - 138 Pages + Publishers Advertising
