The “First Fleet” refers to The First Fleet: The Record of the Foundation of Australia from its Conception to the Settlement at Sydney Cove. It is a highly collectible, limited-edition historical book published in 1937 by The Golden Cockerel Press.

Etching plate mounted on copper. The nature of this item implies that it is the original copper engraving plate. However, the format in which it is presented, ie. mounted on a base copper plate is somewhat unusual. The reasoning may be due to the location on the page of the image in the published volume. Clarity on the matter would be welcome.

Measures 6.3cm x 6.5cm. Provenance written verso: ‘Not to be used – ‘Golden Cockel [sic] First Fleet 1937 – replaced by another brass.’ It does however appear to have been used in the publication.