Melbourne from the south side of the Yarra Yarra 1839

Original etching and engraving, 177 x 357 mm (plate line), mount burn, engraved inscription lower left Drawn by J. A. Adamson Esq., engraved inscription lower right Eng.d by J. Carmichael. for R.Clint, manuscript inscription lower centre in Tate Adams’ hand Melbourne 1839. Printed from the original plate in an edition of 100. No. 85 / 100. June 1969. Embossed stamp of Crossley Editions lower right.

A fine example of one of the earliest printed views of Melbourne, drawn by John Adamson and engraved by John Carmichael.

Adamson arrived in Australia in about 1825, and died en route to Calcutta in 1841. In 1840, the Port Phillip Gazette praised his images of the first settlement at Melbourne, describing the engraving shown here as “a very correct representation of ancient Melbourne; as it appeared twelve months since.” – https://www.beforefelton.com/carmichael-after-adamson-melbourne-from-the-south-side-of-the-yarra-1891-slv-pr/

This example printed in a limited edition from the original plate by master printmaker Tate Adams in 1969. Adams ran the Crossley Gallery from 1966 – 1980, with Crossley Editions running from 1966 – 1972.