By E. McDonnell (Hugh Stone)
Published by Reg C. Pogonoski Limited: Newcastle 1936
1st Edition
"The Land of the Budgeriga: Verses and Sketches is a distinctly Australian collection of prose and poetry by Edward McDonnell, better known by his pen name "Hugh Stone." Published in Newcastle in 1936, the work gathers together a rich assortment of bush ballads, sketches and reminiscences celebrating the landscapes, characters and traditions of rural Australia. Drawing inspiration from the literary legacy of Henry Lawson and the Australian nationalist movement, McDonnell writes of pioneers, drovers, bush birds, convicts and country towns, preserving the spirit of an Australia that was rapidly passing into history.
The volume reflects the author's deep involvement with the Henry Lawson Literary Societies and the Australasian Society of Patriots, to whom the book is dedicated. Many of the verses and sketches had previously appeared in periodicals such as The Sydney Bulletin, The Australian Worker, The Western Mail and the Sydney Morning Herald, while others were published here for the first time. Written in a straightforward and affectionate style, the pieces capture both the hardships and humour of bush life and demonstrate the enduring influence of Lawson upon a generation of Australian writers and enthusiasts.
Published by Reg. C. Pogonoski Limited of Newcastle in 1936, this scarce first edition holds particular appeal for collectors of Australian literature and regional history. This example is especially desirable, being warmly inscribed and signed by the author as "Hugh Stone" and dated 25 October 1936. Combining poetry, memoir and local history, The Land of the Budgeriga stands as an evocative tribute to the people and places of the Australian bush and an increasingly uncommon piece of interwar Australian literary publishing."
Light wear to covers and spine as shown. Inscription from author. Pages clean and well presented aside from slight yellowing. A nice 1st edition copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
