[ADELAIDE PRESENTATION BINDING] Pictures from the German Fatherland drawn with pen and pencil

London : The Religious Tract Society, [c.1880]. Folio, fine presentation binding of full Prussian blue leather, ruled in gilt, spine in compartments with raised bands and gilt ornament, contrasting morocco title label lettered in gilt, gilt illustration and motto of Prince Alfred College, Adelaide to upper board; marbled edges and endpapers, presentation prize label from Prince Alfred College to T. M. Drew dated Christmas 1889, signed by the President and Headmaster, bookseller/binder’s ticket of E. S. Wigg to front pastedown, pp. 224 with numerous wood-engraved illustrations; occasional light foxing, else a very good copy.

Prince Alfred College is a prestigious independent boys’ school in Adelaide established in 1869 by the Methodist Church of Australasia. It was named after Prince Alfred (1844-1900), one of the four sons of Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert, during his visit to Adelaide at the end of 1867. Born to a German father, Alfred was sovereign Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from 1893 to 1900.

Whilst Pictures from the German Fatherland is a relatively common Victorian book on Germany, this particular example is interesting for its German-South Australian connection, both through the fact of South Australia’s significant German immigrant population and Prince Alfred’s visit there in 1867. It is also undoubtedly no mere coincidence that Prince Alfred College chose a full Prussian blue binding for the volume. The book’s original owner, T. M. Drew, would go on to study at the University of Adelaide and become a respected doctor in the community. His obituary is recorded in the Chronicle (14 Jan 1928, p. 48):

Dr. Thomas Mitchell Drew, M.A., Ch.B., whose death was reported on Wednesday, was 52 years of age. He was the third son of Mr. Thomas Drew, formerly of Northcote Terrace, Medindie. Dr. Drew was born at Burra, and received his education at Prince Alfred College, later going to the Adelaide University, and completing his medical course in Melbourne. Dr. Drew left for London, where he studied in various hospitals for three years. While in London he married Miss Blanch Smith, whose father was at one time Railways Commissioner. After their marriage the couple returned to Australia, and resided in Nhill (Victoria), Cobham, and later in Melbourne. Soon after Dr. Drew removed to Queensland he was appointed medical officer for the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Subsequently he went to Toowoomba, where his death occurred. He was a keen sportsman, and became a champion lacrosse player. While in England he played for the London County team under Dr. W. G. Grace. A widow and three children survive.