Truganini. Last full-blooded aboriginal person in Tasmania. Engraving c1886.

Truganini antique print. Last full-blooded indigenous Australian female. Small wood engraving by W.A. Hirschmann, for Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, published between 1886 and 1888 to commemorate 100 years since the arrival of the First Fleet and settlement by Europeans at Port Jackson in Sydney in 1788.  

Born in 1812 at Bruny Island off the east coast of Tasmania, Truganini died on 8th May 1876, in Hobart in the care of the Dandridge family. Known as Lalla(h) Rookh, Truganini was also spelt Trukanini, Trucanini and Trugernanner. The daughter of Mangerna (Mangana), who was leader of a south-east tribe around Recherche Bay. Following her traditional culture as she grew up, Truganini's family's lives were disastrously affected by the European 'invasion'. Truganini's mother was killed by sailors. Her uncle was shot by a soldier. Her sister was abducted by sealers. Paraweena, the man Truganini was to marry, was murdered by timber-fellers.

Truganini married Woorrady on Bruny Island at the mission of former bricklayer and builder, George Augustus Robinson (1791-1866), who was initially a storekeeper but was later appointed protector of Aboriginals. Truganini and Woorady assisted Robinson in his efforts of conciliation with Tasmanian aborigines during his travels around Tasmania between 1830 and 1835. They acted as his guides and introduced him to the tribes' languages and customs. After being moved to Flinders Island where European life was forced upon the settlement of aborigines, Truganini retained traditional customs. She was a small woman, strong-willed, gifted and courageous; and faced many challenges as Europeans controlled the lives of the remaining aborigines in Australia.

This hand-coloured original engraving is small (100mm x 80mm) mounted between 'antique white' conservation ragmat and covered with cellophane for presentation and protective handling, ready for a frame. External measurement for frame window is 220 x 200mm).