Australian, Acacia georginae, Bailey's Queensland Flora lithograph c1900

by Bailey, Frederick Manson

Antique print of Acacia Georginae, the Georgina Gidgee found on the Georgina River. Original lithograph c.1900 by F.C. Wills (later hand-colour).

F.M. Bailey’s contribution to the records and illustrations of Queensland flora is second to none. He wrote numerous papers, but his Flora of Queensland published between 1899 and 1902 with finely lithographed illustrations, was his greatest memorial. A self-educated botanist and a kindly man, Frederick Manson Bailey, C.M.G., F.L.S. was a foundation member of the Royal Society of Queensland.

In 1839 Frederick Manson Bailey (1827-1915) migrated to Australia with his family. At the age of 12 he started work at his father’s plant nursery in Adelaide. In 1861 he moved to Brisbane where he opened a plant seed store. He also collected plants for sale to overseas institutions. In 1875 Bailey was appointed government botanist to investigate possible threat of pastures and plants to livestock. From 1880 to 1882 Bailey was acting curator of the Queensland Museum, and in 1890 was appointed Colonial Botanist. During the depression of the 1890’s Bailey’s appointment was suspended, but he continued his work. After public complaint, he was reinstated in 1902 on half salary.

Despite a couple of tiny imperfections left of the title, this is a fine lithograph, mounted between antique-white conservation rag-mat ready for framing. Page size 245 x 155 mm (9.5 x 6 inches) External size for frame is 338 x 255mm.