Catalogue of the Roth Collection of Aboriginal Artefacts from North Queensland. Volume 1 [to] Volume 4 [the complete set]

Sydney, Australian Museum, 1993, 1996, 2003 and 2004. Quarto, four volumes, 205; 189; 106; and 112 pages with numerous illustrations (from photographs), location maps and diagrams, plus publication details printed on the verso of the front covers. Comb-bound pictorial card covers (Volumes 1 and 2) and pictorial card covers (Volumes 3 and 4); minor signs of use to the fort two volumes (but see below); overall, in excellent condition. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum, respectively Numbers 10, 12, 17 and 18. Dr Walter Edmund Roth (1861-1933), 'physician, anthropologist and protector of Aborigines [the first northern protector of Aboriginals] . published eighteen ethnographic bulletins, based on his official reports, on various aspects of Aboriginal culture. The first eight were published in Queensland "Parliamentary Papers" (1901-06), the rest in the "Records of the Australian Museum" (1907-10)' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography'). 'Some 2000 artefacts and 308 photographic negatives were purchased by the Australian Museum from Dr Roth' in 1905. The original bulletins did not have an index; 'Production of these new regional catalogues . will make the older works easier to use' (preface). Respective subtitles are Number 10: Items collected from Archer River, Atherton, Bathurst Head, Bloomfield River and Butcher's Hill, 1897-1901. Number 12: Items collected from Cairns, Cape Bedford, Cape Grafton, Cape Melville, Cardwell, Clump Point, Coen, Cooktown, Dunk Island, False Cape, Flinders Island, Hambledon, Herberton, Hinchinbrook Island, Ingham, Innisfail, Johnstone River, Kuranda, in 1887-1904. Number 17: Items collected from McDonnell Electric Telegraph Office, McIvor River, Mapoon and the Pennefather and Wenlock Rivers, Maytown, Mentana, Mitchell River, Morehead River, Moreton Electric Telegraph Office and Musgrave, in 1897-1903. Number 18: Items collected from Nassau River, Night Island, Palmer River, peak Point Electric Telegraph Office, Princess Charlotte Bay, Staaten River, Starcke River, Tinaroo, Tully River, Vanrook and Weipa (Embley River) in 1896-1903. Provenance: Dr Betty Francis Meehan (born 1933), Australian archaeologist and anthropologist, with her ownership signature in all four volumes. Attached with a single staple to the verso of each front cover is an item of correspondence from Kate Khan to Betty Meehan, presenting the individual volumes to her when they were published. The first one is a full-page letter: 'At last the Roth Catalogue is out! Only three more to go. I do appreciate all the advice you gave me, and hope you are pleased with the finished product'. The second one is a 'with compliments' slip, which states among some personal comments 'I have nearly finished roughing out Vol. 3, & hope it will be published late 1997' (make that 2003!). Loosely inserted in the last volume is an autograph letter signed by Kate Khan: 'Dear Betty, . Enclosed is Vol. 4, - the last of the Cape York Roth catalogues. I have already started on his Gulf country material, but am a long way from publication'. We have not found evidence that any further catalogues have been published. [4 items].…