Historical information

This is a travel book written by Mary Gaunt (1861-1942). She was an Australian author who gained international recognition for her novels, travel books, magazine articles and short stories. The wife of Dr H. L. Miller, she lived in Warrnambool from 1894 to 1900 and wrote some of her novels whilst in the town, using local scenes and situations for some of her writings. Her travel books are important as she wrote about her adventures in countries such as Africa and China where she was often touring places not previously visited by a white woman unaccompanied by other Europeans.

Significance

This original copy of Mary Gaunt’s book about her travels in Jamaica is significant. Not only was Mary Gaunt a noted Australian writer but she was also a resident of Warrnambool for some time and thus has her place in Warrnambool’s history. This book was sent by Mary Gaunt to her brother Clive, resident in Rangoon at the time of the book’s publication.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book of 258 pages. The book has a dark green cover with gold lettering on the spine. The cover is very mottled and stained. There are four black and white photographs scattered throughout the text. A signature on the first page is in black ink and a small book plate is printed on a piece of paper which is pasted into the first page.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Clive Gaunt Rangoon’
‘With the Author’s Compliments’