"Shadow Over Tasmania - The Truth About the State's Convict History by Bev. C. Smith stands as one of the earliest and most influential popular accounts of Tasmania's penal past, and this scarce 1941 first edition marks the very beginning of the work's long publishing life. Produced and printed in Hobart by J. Walch & Sons, the first edition captures Smith's original, unvarnished attempt to dismantle long-held prejudices surrounding the island's convict heritage. Its pages combine straightforward historical narrative with vivid anecdote, taking readers through the harsh realities of Van Diemen's Land, the major penal settlements, key personalities, and the gradual evolution from oppression to community.
Later editions softened and reshaped the tone, making the genuine first printing especially prized for its rawness, candour, and proximity to the author's initial vision. Surviving examples are increasingly difficult to obtain, and its publication at the height of wartime Tasmania adds further historical interest. As an important and uncommon cornerstone of early convict historiography, this first edition will appeal strongly to collectors of scarce Australian colonial works, enthusiasts of Tasmanian heritage, and readers seeking an authentic early perspective on the state's convict past."
Scarce 1st edition copy of this classic work on Tasmanian Convicts. Heavy wear and some staining to covers and spine. Some water staining as shown. Carries some date stamps all from 1944. No loose pages with all illustrations present. Please study photos to further understand condition.
Size 18.5cm x 12.5cm x 0.75cm - 150 Pages
