The first woman printer in Australia - Ann Howe (1802-1842) - The New South Wales Gazette 1833

The earliest Australian newspaper printed by a woman

"The New South Wales Gazette" - Volume II - 1832-3

-Sydney: Printed by Ann Howe, 1833

-Folio. Numbers 44–95. 537 pages (complete)

-Text printed in two columns with drop-head titles and engraved arms at the start of each issue. Later handwritten content leaf at start of volume. Small loss of text to no.62. Nos. 72 and 73 mis-bound. Occasional stains and foxing to interior but overall very good.

-Contemporary binding in half calf with later endpapers, some rubbing to leather but very good.

This is an early example of women's printing in Australia by Ann Howe. Ann Howe had taken over the government press after the death of her husband, Robert Howe. She was the third printer in the Howe dynasty, which had first been founded by George Howe who was a former convict regarded as the first printer in Australia.

The New South Wales Gazette provides a detailed account of life in the British penal settlement. Of particular interest are the extensive lists relating to convicts, including those assigned to employment, and lists of those that have absconded. These notices offer record of the administration’s attempts to control the large convict population. Alongside this are notices relating to the functioning of the colony including shipping movements, mail services, government tenders for supplies and works, and the publication of official acts and regulations. The volume forms an interesting documentary record of the economic and administrative life in early 19th Century Sydney.

Importantly, this volume was printed by Ann Howe (c.1802–1842), the earliest woman newspaper proprietor in Australia. Born in Sydney, Howe took control of the Sydney Gazette following the death of her husband in 1829. The formal process of taking control took several years, and the earliest issues in this 1832/3 volume were printed by "the executors of Robert Howe", while the later issues are printed by "Ann Howe". Under her direction the paper aligned itself with Governor Richard Bourke and the emancipist cause.

An uncommon example of women's newspaper printing in Australia

£2500