Journey among men (presentation copy from Russell Drysdale to Donald Murray)

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1962. Quarto, cloth in illustrated dustjacket (lightly stained, edge wear, a couple of tape repairs verso), 206 pp. illustrated throughout by Russell Drysdale. Inscribed by the artist in the year of publication on the first blank ‘For Donald Murray with great regard & affection from Tass. Russell Drysdale. September 1962’. Inscribed on the verso ‘Peter McKay (Melbourne or Kimberley W.A.) – A very enjoyable day was spent here at Donald Murray’s house on 9-9-78. Also very impressed by Hill End. P. McKay’. Contemporary newspaper review loosely enclosed.

Drysdale and Marshall’s great journey through the Australian outback is dotted with a variety of unique characters, each with a particularly dry Australian sense of humour.

Donald Friend and Russell Drysdale (known widely by the name ‘Tass’) were closest friends, working, painting and living together during the 1940s and 50s.

‘When Donald Friend and Russell Drysdale came across the former New South Wales gold mining town during a car trip in 1947, they were both immediately enchanted by the beauty and history of the town. Donald Friend was so impressed that he and his friend Donald Murray purchased a cottage, close to the Royal Hotel, and lived there on and off between 1948 and 1958. Years later, Drysdale purchased the cottage from Donald Friend and gifted it to Murray, who remained living there until his death in 1988. – Henry Mulholland, catalogue essay for Deutscher & Hackett auction https://www.deutscherandhackett.com/auction/lot/lucky-digger-hotel-hill-end-1953

A fine presentation copy.