WA. King George's Sound, Western Australia. Antique Print c1886

by Fullwood, A.H.

Antique print of King George Sound, West Australia - named after the reigning monarch in Britain, by George Vancouver, in 1761. The site of Albany at King George Sound, south-east of Perth, was the first Swan River (Western Australia) penal settlement established in 1826 with the arrival of Amity under the command of Major Edmund Lockyer (who was the first to sketch this fine view).

Original wood engraving after a sketch by English artist, Albert Henry Fullwood (1863-1930), (who became an important colonial artist), for Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, published in Sydney between 1886 and 1888 to commemorate 100 years since First Fleet settlement in Australia, and to provide a graphic summary of the discovery, settlement and development in Australia and the adjacent countries. Leading artists and topographical engravers were commissioned, and Frederick Schell was appointed Art Director to compile illustrations for the publication.

Over 700 engravings were carved (in reverse) from drawings and sketches. Most of the engravings were carved from wood, but some finer portraits combined the skilled art of mezzotint and stippling with steel engraving. Some special engraved views featured a lithographic border composed of Australian flora. The illustrations were some of the finest engravings produced anywhere in the world in the late 19^th century. Most of the engravings were printing within a page of text (as with this one). Some major views were printed as a full page.

This engraving is in good condition with the usual slight ageing of the paper. The engraving has later hand-colour. Size of engraving is 13 x 26cm (5 x 10 inches).