In 1855, Raffaello Carboni published his first-hand account of the Eureka Stockade. Since that time, generations of writers, illustrators, and publishers have been inspired by the Eureka legend.
This display features a first edition copy of Carboni’s self-published book, ‘The Eureka Stockade’, alongside rarities such as handwritten book of poems by Ballarat agitator, Ellen Young, and a 170-year-old copy of ‘The Argus’ newspaper. An early representation of the Eureka battle by American artist William Thomas Smedley features in ‘The Picturesque Atlas of Australasia’ from 1888.
Carboni’s book was reimagined in 1942 in a fine press version published in an edition of only 150 copies by Sunnybrook Press. Each copy is numbered and signed by the publisher Ernest Shea, the artist W E Pigeon, and Labor politician, H V Evatt, who wrote the foreword. The book is notable for Pigeon’s energetic linocut illustrations, and two copies are presented to highlight these images. Also on display is Jack Lindsay’s 1936 book ‘Rebels of the Goldfields’ similarly featuring bold linocut illustrations by George Scott, alongside other titles, and commemorative ephemera.
Image: ‘Untitled notebook’ by Ellen Young, compiled in 1911. Donated to Ballarat East Library, Ballarat Libraries Australiana Research Collection. Photo: Paul Lambeth
