Eugene and Louise von Guérard : a deed of release document bearing the signatures of the artist and his wife, dated October 1871.

A$4,000 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

On the evening of 12 September 1871 the colonial artist Eugene von Guérard and his wife Louise were passengers on a train which was involved in a collision as it was returning to Flinders Street from Prahran. Ironically, the accident took place only a short distance from their residence in East Melbourne. The injuries both sustained were deemed significant enough to warrant an out-of-court settlement with the Melbourne Hobsons Bay United Railway Company for £200 in compensation a very substantial sum of money. The legal document offered here is a deed of release (probably one of two copies) prepared by the Railway Company s solicitors, Malleson England Stewart; by signing it, the von Guérards absolved the Company of any further liability and acknowledged receipt of its compensation payout. The deed is signed in full, twice, by both of the von Guérards. Folio bifolium, 385 x 240 mm, manuscript in clerical hand on watermarked wove paper (occupying the first side only); folding to 240 x 100 mm, the front endorsed: Release. Eugene von Guerard and wife, and The Melbourne Hobsons Bay United Railway Company. Dated 17th October 1871. Malleson England and Stewart. ; the document is in fine condition. Know all Men by these Presents that We Eugene von Guerard of Gipps Street East Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria, Artist, and Louisa [sic] Guerard his wife, in consideration of two hundred pounds sterling to us in hand paid by the Melbourne and Hobsons Bay United Railway Company incorpo

• Binding: Hardcover

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