Burke and Wills Australian Exploring Expedition, Melbourne Departure. c1862

by The Illustrated London News

Antique print of Departure of Burke and Wills Australian Exploring Expedition: Departure of the expedition from the Royal Park, Melbourne, August 20, 1860.

A superb hand-coloured original engraving of the party, their camels and supplies, being published in London circa 1862 for The Illustrated London News. The Victorian Government offered a reward for the successful south to north crossing of Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. After successfully reaching swamp near the north coast, seven men, including both Burke and Wills, died on the return journey. Expeditions were sent in search of the party. John King, the only one remaining of the 19-man expedition, was found, living with a tribe of natives. 

Published weekly from 1842, The Illustrated London News increased circulated by the inclusion of images and information of events and discoveries from around the world. Its engravings have always been avidly collected and are often hand-tinted with watercolour for further enjoyment.

The page has a vertical crease through the centre, but given the general subject matter and style of the engraving this does not detract from what is a marvellous image. This page size is 41 x 29 cm (approximately 16 x 11 inches).