Swan River colony papers for sale
Rare documents from the first months of the Swan River colony have been found in London and will go on sale in Perth at the weekend.
Most of the documents, including affidavits, inventory lists and asset valuations, relate to early pioneers Spencer Trimmer and his cousin Douglas Thompson.
Several papers are signed by WA's first governor, James Stirling, or his cousin William, the colony's first acting registrar. The earliest document is dated November 2, 1829 - less than five months after the State was officially proclaimed.
Local antique dealer Keith Hicks said it was remarkable the papers had been kept together for 185 years and they would be sold as a single lot at the Decorator, Vintage, Antiques and Jewellery Fair at the University of WA. He said the documents were found in a deceased estate in England and became available through a London book dealer.
Mr Thompson and Mr Trimmer came to WA aboard the Atwick and landed in Fremantle on October 29, 1829.
The documents show the men were agriculturalists who shared 11 servants, including a bailiff, housekeeper and blacksmith.
The antiques fair starts tonight and finishes on Sunday.
