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442318

Title
[Silver tea and coffee service] Presented to Edward H. Hargraves Esq. the discoverer of the Gold fields of Australia, by the inhabitants of Bathurst ... , 1853
Creator
James & Josiah Williams Robert
Call number
R 675
Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 3, Shelf 54
Level of description
fonds
Date

1853
Type of material
Objects
Reference code
442318
Issue Copy
Digitised : This item has been preserved and digitised as part of the Nelson Meers Foundation Benefaction, 2005.
Physical Description
1 tea and coffee set (teapot, coffeepot, sugar bowl, and milk jug) - silver, the two pots have an ivory trim on the handles.
ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Edward Hargraves (1816-1891) was a gold promoter credited with discovering the first payable goldfields in Bathurst, leading to Australia's first gold rush. Although he received all the public recognition and reward, it was in fact his companions, John Lister and brothers William, James and Henry Tom, who found the payable gold - a fact that was belatedly recognised by a select committee of the Legislative Assembly in 1890.
Reference: Australian Dictionary of Biography. Carlton, Vic : Melbourne University Press, 1967.
Access Conditions

Access via appointment
Copying Conditions
Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
General note

Title continues: "Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat ... as a testimonial of their appreciation of his meritorious exertions in opening up one of the most important resources of the Colony and thus adding materially to its wealth and promoting its commercial and social advancement".
The set was made by Robert, James and Josiah Williams in Exeter (U.K.) in 1851. All pieces have silvermarks as follows: RW over JW over JW plus another variant, Queen's head, lion passant, date letter gothic P. Exeter city mark not on all items. All pieces are embossed with scenes of miners' cottages, the Australian Coat of Arms, Hargraves' initials and various decorations.

The set was presented to Hargraves at a public dinner held in Bathurst on 19 March 1853. Hargraves later gave the service to his eldest daughter Mrs Archie Shaw, who left it to her niece, the donor's mother.

For further information regarding the set, including xerox copies of the 'Bathurst Free Press' 19 March 1853 and 9 April 1853, and an account of the Testimonial Public Dinner, see notes at Location Number: PXn 486, Mitchell Library Reading Room.
Digital order no:Album ID : 824135
Signatures / Inscriptions

Teapot is inscribed as titled
Name
Hargraves, Edward Hammond (1816-1891)
Topic
bowls (food)
coffeepots
gold miners
jugs
presentation pieces
silverware
teapots
tea-sets
Exhibited in

Stories in silver - State Library of New South Wales
Nelson Meers Foundation Heritage Collection - State Library of New South Wales (July-Dec 2005)
Australian Journey Gallery - National Museum of Australia
Open Rosetta viewer
IE3317337