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A NUMISMATIST RECORDS THE FIRST ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IN AUSTRALIA

[FAIRLESS, Joseph]. [An album of manuscript observations concerning British history, with press-cuttings and ephemera].

[s.i.]. [s.n.], [c. 1850-71]
Folio. Manuscript on paper. [115] leaves. Numerous press-cuttings and ephemeral articles pasted in. Recent half-calf, navy cloth boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. A trifle rubbed. Very occasional light spotting.

[Loosely inserted:] FAIRLESS, Joseph. A guide to the abbey church, &c., at hexham, northumberland. Hexham. Edward Pruddah, 1853. First edition. 16pp. Disbound. Adhesive residue to spine.
A remarkably varied mid-nineteenth century album compiled by governor of Hexham Grammar School, churchwarden, and numismatist Joseph Fairless of Hexham (1789-1873), comprised of manuscript observations on the history and antiquities of Britain, Northumberland in particular, interspersed with a plethora of contemporary press-cuttings and ephemera.

The majority of the newspaper clippings are extracted from English periodicals, the notable exception being a single leaf issue of the New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, 13 March, 1868) offering a reward of £1,000 for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the accomplices of Henry James O'Farrell in the attempted murder of the Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh during his tour of Australia. A recently released patient of a local lunatic asylum, O'Farrell, the first person to attempt a political assassination in Australia, was ultimately hanged on 21st April, 1868. He has the of being the first person to attempt a political assassination in Australia.
£ 2,500.00 Antiquates Ref: 26586