An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales | 1798 - 1804, first edition of the earliest historical account of Australian settlement

An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales: with Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, &c. of the Native Inhabitants of that Country. To which are added, some Particulars of New Zealand; compiled, by permission, from the MSS. of Lieutenant-Governor King.

Bound at Arch Books in stunning full tree-calf with gilt decoration, double spine labels, and speckled edges. The first volume is a first edition, while the second volume is the second edition with colour plates. Minor foxing and light offsetting in places, but overall, a handsome and highly attractive set. This rare pairing, with the complete two volumes in their respective editions, is seldom found in such exceptional condition

First Edition, 1798-1802, Second Edition of Volume Two, 1804.

David Collins's An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales stands as a monumental work, offering an unparalleled window into the nascent stages of European settlement in Australia. This two-volume set, comprising the 1798 first edition and the 1804 second edition, is not merely a historical record; it is a foundational text that illuminates the complex interplay of colonial ambition, hardship, and discovery.

The first volume, published in 1798, is of exceptional historical significance, marking the culmination of First Fleet narratives. Collins, in his role as Judge-Advocate and Secretary to Governor Phillip, possessed a unique vantage point, granting him access to the inner workings of the colonial administration. The inclusion of 23 meticulously engraved plates by Edward Dayes, derived from the sketches of convict artist Thomas Watling, elevates this volume beyond a mere textual account. These plates provide some of the earliest visual representations of the Australian landscape and the encounters between British settlers and Indigenous Australians. They serve as crucial primary source material for understanding the visual culture of early colonial Australia. Collins's narrative meticulously chronicles the challenges faced by the fledgling colony, including the struggle for survival, the establishment of governance, and the often-fraught interactions with the Aboriginal inhabitants. His observations, while filtered through the lens of 18th-century European sensibilities, offer invaluable insights into the early dynamics of colonial contact.

The 1804 second edition is highly prized for its expanded content, notably the inclusion of the journals of Bass and Flinders. These accounts provide detailed records of their pivotal explorations, which significantly contributed to the charting of Australia's coastline. This volume also features groundbreaking natural history descriptions, including the earliest published accounts of iconic Australian fauna such as the koala, wombat, and the first coloured illustration of the lyrebird. These descriptions offer vital insights into the early European understanding of Australia's unique biodiversity.

Collins continues his ethnographic observations of Indigenous Australian cultures, providing detailed, albeit culturally contextualized, accounts of their customs, manners, and social structures. His work transcended a simple historical chronicle; it serves as a multifaceted document that encompasses elements of history, ethnography, and natural history. It offers a crucial primary source for understanding the complexities of early colonial Australia, including the challenges of establishing a penal colony, the dynamics of settler-Indigenous relations, and the exploration of a vast and unfamiliar continent. It is a vital piece of early Australian literature, and one of the most important books relating to early Australian history. The combination of Collin's own observations, and the inclusion of the work of others, like that of Bass and Flinders, makes this set a very valuable resource. This two-volume set, with its blend of meticulous historical detail, groundbreaking illustrations, and pioneering natural history descriptions, remains an essential resource for scholars, collectors, and anyone seeking to understand the formative years of Australian history.