The Fatal Shore (Deluxe Signed Bicentenary Edition)

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Deluxe bicentenary edition in full leather, signed by Hughes and numbered (201/250). Excellently preserved and in fine condition.

Full title: The Fatal Shore: A History of the Transportation of Convicts to Australia, 1787-1868.

The Fatal Shore is Hughes' gripping chronicle of Australia's brutal origins as a British penal colony from 1788 to 1868. It's both a vivid social history of convict transportation and a searing indictment of how the British Empire used Australia as a vast prison to dump its unwanted masses—thieves, political prisoners, and the desperately poor. Hughes brings the horror and humanity of this foundational trauma to life with his trademark wit and unflinching eye for detail.

Hardcover binding in fine condition. Full crushed Morocco leather binding tight and square, with only very gentle shelf fading to the spine. Lettering in gilt on spine bright. Gilt tooling on inner dentelles with beautiful marbled end papers. All textblock edges gilt, a few minor markings. End papers and pages bright and fresh, free of markings or toning internally, and in fine condition. All photographic plates glossy and preserved. Overall, a stunning edition of an Australian colonial history classic that presents finely.

Limited deluxe signed and numbered edition. London: Collins Harvill, 1987. 8vo. Original brown crushed Morocco hardcover in original slipcase. Pages: xvi, [12], 688. Signed and numbered on bookplate (201/250).

PLEASE NOTE: This item is large and/or heavy. It may require additional postage costs to be paid. If so, we will contact you after purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store.

If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au