Colony of Victoria at the Amsterdam International and Colonial Exhibition, 1883 (Dutch)

Amsterdamsche Internationale en Koloniale Tentoonstelling, 1883 / Korte beschrijving der Kolonie Victoria (Australie). Geschiedenis, aardrijkskunde, klimaat, regeering, landbouw, mijnwezen, nijverheid, staathuishoudkunde en maatschappelijke toestand. Melbourne : John Ferres, 1883. Octavo, printed wrappers, stitch bound, 20 pp, foldout map printed in colour. Important glimpse of how the colony was represented to European visitors to the exhibition. The text was written by George Collins Levey, Victoria’s head representative at the Amsterdam exhibition. (Levey also represented Victoria at several other international exhibitions including London, Paris, Philadelphia and Vienna). Levey’s work was authorized by and under the direction of a committee of politicians – O’Loghlen, Madden, Young and Macbain – headed by the Hon. Louis Lawrence Smith, who in that year also happened to be president of the Victorian Winegrowers’ Association. (Smith won medals for his wines at various international exhibitions). The text comprises short essays on history, mining and minerals, agriculture, government, economics, Aborigines, social services and travel to Australia.