Waratah Rhymes for Young Australia.
London: Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, (1891). Small quarto. 64pp. First edition. With photo-etched illustrations in black & white throughout by Mrs. E. M. Boyd, Mr. R. André, and by the poet, Louisa A. Meredith. Although born in Birmingham, England, Meredith moved to New South Wales, and then Tasmania, after marriage. After realizing that there weren't any books available for children on Australian subjects, she set out to create a collection of simple rhymes for Australian children on local themes. Many of her poems celebrate Australia's flora and fauna: the waratah of the title is a flowering shrub that is the floral emblem of New South Wales, and other rhymes feature gum trees and bower birds. The rhymes first appeared in Meredith's collection of poems, Grandmamma's Verse-book for Young Australia. Bound in pictorial boards printed in red and green, with the title and a design of waratah flowers on the front board. Spine ends bumped, some rubbing to extremities, traces remain of erased previous owner's inscription to preliminary page, else an about fine example of a rare piece of Australiana. Item #24299
Price: $750.00