Supreme Court, Brisbane antique print. George Street corner c1886

$165.00

Original engraving of the first Brisbane Supreme Court, c1886. On the Ann Street corner of George Street, it was one of Brisbane’s finest early buildings, and at the time of construction in 1875 it was considered “spacious but far from beautiful”.
It was demolished following damage by fire a century later. Prior to the building of this Supreme Court, it was first the site of the prisoners' hospital, and then the police barracks and superintendent’s quarters.

Original wood engraving by A. Hirschmann after a sketch by the American topographical artist William Crothers Fitler (1857-1915), for Garran’s Picturesque Atlas of Australasia published between 1886 and 1888 to commemorate 100 years of settlement, since the First Fleet arrival at Botany Bay in 1788. The illustrations for this publication were some of the finest engravings of the late 19th century. Uncoloured when published, these engravings have traditionally been hand-tinted with watercolour for further enhancement.

This engraving measures 100 x 125mm (approx. 4 x 5 inches). Mounted between antique-white conservation matt-board and covered in protective cellophane for presentation, ready for framing, the external measurement is approximately 23 x 25cm (9 x 9 7/8 inches).