Esther

1918 · 134072 — Melbourne: Melbourne Publishing Company 1918. First Edition. Paperback. Melbourne Melbourne Publishing Company 1918. Large quarto 28 of 32 pages with a title page foreword contents page 11 of 13 full-page colour illustrations and numerous advertisements plus advertisements printed in red and black on the inside front cover and both sides of the rear cover. Wrappers printed in red with a captioned colour illustration mounted on the front cover; minimal wear to the ends of the spine; two illustrated leaves torn away containing 'A Modern Painter' and 'A Gum Knut' spoiling a rare and appealing item. Esther Paterson 1892-1971 was a Melbourne-born painter and illustrator and the wife of the naval historian George Hemon Gill 1895-1973. The foreword is just that forward! and the captioned illustrations are in the same vein . 'It is perhaps hardly necessary to provide a foreword for these sketches. If an "Aussie" girl needs explaining she is quite as capable of doing the job for herself as her brother has proved himself in her own sphere of action whether that action is on land or water or in the air. <p>Nor is it necessary for artist or publisher to talk in high-sounding phrases of the uplifting power of Art etc. etc. The purpose of this book is to interest and amuse and also incidentally to earn a more or less honest penny for all parties concerned in its production. <p>In this connection due warning is hereby given to the Commonwealth Government that if the circulation of "Aussie Girls" in other lands leads to an influx of marriageable men - each seeking for the original model of one or other of the drawings - a heavy claim for commission will be made against the Immigration Bureau'. Melbourne Publishing Company paperback