Australian Colonies: Their Origin and Present Condition, William Hughes — 1852 Ed.

£105.00

Australian Colonies: Their Origin and Present Condition, William Hughes — 1852 Ed.

Name: Australian Colonies: Their Origin and Present Condition, William Hughes — 1852 Ed.
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4393
Price: 105.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£105.00

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Publication: London, Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1852.

Formatting: 12mo, pp. [viii], 307.

Condition Report: Good. The book is bound in its original brown publisher's cloth, which remains intact but exhibits moderate wear typical with its age. The boards show noticeable rubbing, minor scattered discolouration, and a distinct pale patch on the rear panel. The spine, featuring gilt lettering stating "HUGHES' AUSTRALIA" and double gilt bands, is somewhat faded. There is bumping and minor fraying to the cloth at the head and tail of the spine, alongside typical corner wear that lightly exposes the underlying boards. Internally, the binding appears slightly shaken with a gentle lean to the text block. The pages and text block edges show scattered foxing and age-toning, most notable on the preliminary leaves, though the text remains crisp and highly legible throughout.

Catalogue Note: This 1852 printing offers a comprehensive geographical, historical, and economic snapshot of the island continent during a pivotal era of British expansion. Printed by Spottiswoodes and Shaw in London, the work was explicitly aimed at prospective emigrants, detailing the climate, productions, and general resources of the southern settlements. It directly outlines the region's capabilities for the profitable employment of British labour.

Bound in a standard brown publisher's cloth of the period, the spine is simply gilt-stamped with the author and region. While Hughes was a prominent geographer and prolific writer, early 1850s texts detailing the burgeoning Australian colonies remain highly collectible as primary sources for 19th-century emigration history. Copies of this specific 1852 printing occasionally appear on the open market, appealing to both Australiana collectors and historians of the British Empire.

An essential 19th-century guide to a newly expanding world, The Australian Colonies by William Hughes paints a vivid picture of Australia in the 1850s. Designed to inform and encourage prospective British emigrants, Hughes meticulously details the continent's climate, resources, and burgeoning settlements. This work stands not only as a geographical textbook but as a fascinating historical artifact, capturing the optimism and imperial ambition that drove the colonization of the southern hemisphere.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: William Hughes

Book Publisher: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 315

Book Publication Year: 1852

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Cloth)

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The Traveller's Library

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.

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