Tent and hut at Glenelg, South Australia, the temporary residence of Robert Gouger ..., 1836 or 1837 / John Michael Skipper

DG SSV3A/1

fonds

1836 or 1837

Graphic Materials, Watercolours

853029

Copy print : DG SSV3A/1
Available on open access in the Mitchell Library Reading Room

1 watercolour - 16.6 x 26.5 cm

Research notes available in Mitchell Library Reading Room, PXn 634 and PXn 827 -

Information transferred from Pictures Card Catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2008-2009

Frame at F6

Keyword subject:
Gouger, Robert

Signed 'I.M.S.' at lower right. Undated and untitled, date and title from inscription detailed below. An inscription, which was lost in transit, was pasted to card visible at the back of the frame. This inscription read 'Tent and huts at Glenelg, South Australia, the temporary residence of Robert Gouger. The government was proclaimed at this tent on Decr. 28th. 1836. The trees are the eucalyptus; that resembling the Banian tree of India was blown nearly down when young by the strong winds which during winter blow upon the eastern coast of the Gulf. There are many trees wearing this appearance on the plains'.

It is probable that this is the original sketch by J.M. Skipper described by J.S. Rees in his 'The old gum tree, Glenelg', Adelaide, 1949. Mr Rees reproduces a pencil sketch copied from an original watercolour which was at that time held by Mr A.J. Balding, Peterborough. The pencil copy had been presented to the South Australian National Gallery by Mr Balding in 1914. The Mitchell Library sketch was purchased in September 1958 from E.B. & K.A. Everett, London, who had it from an auction of the estate of C.M. Balding of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

Rees also publishes an inscription, the same as was originally on the Mitchell Library sketch, and says of it ' ... a copy of a note in R. Gouger's writing on the back of the original watercolour sketch ... sent to ... Mrs Robert Gouger, nee Harriet Jackson, daughter of Anthony Jackson ...' Mr A.J. Balding was a great grandson of Anthony Jackson.

Rees dates the sketch 1836 or 1837 as Gouger was at Glenelg from 10 November, 1836, until 4 February, 1837. Further details from correspondence at MLDOC 317