[Australia: kangaroo hunting and numismatics.] Autograph Letter Signed from Robert Barton, Assayer, Royal Mint in Melbourne, to ‘Grubbe’, giving advice on hunting kangaroo and duck.

Barton, who was born in London, joined the Royal Mint’s Melbourne branch as one of two assayers on its opening in 1869; in 1887 he was promoted to Superintendent, and in 1895 to Deputy Master, holding that position until his reitrement in 1904. See his entry in the Encyclopaedia of Australian Science and Innovation. In case Barton has misspelled the name, the recipient may be William Dawson Grubb (1817-1879) or his son Frederick William Grubb (1844-1923), who have a joint-entry in the Australian Dictionary of National Biography. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Signed ‘Robert Barton’. In very good condition, lightly aged and folded twice for postage. Begins: ‘Dear Grubbe / I met the writer of the enclosed letter [not present] after you left & he told me that between us we could not have advised you to go to a worse place for the sport you want than Echuca, I feel therefore that I have been instrumental (although far from my intention) in leading you a wild duck chase.’ He has been informed by ‘Singleton’ that ‘there are very few Kangaroo if any near Echuca & the duck are impossible to get near’. He suggests that Grubbe takes the steamer to Albury and proceeds as Singleton directs, ‘& you are in a country abounding with Kangaroo & splendid duck shooting’. Barton is enclosing a note from his friend ‘to his brother who is managing the “Walla Walla” station’ and whom Grubbe will find ‘a very decent fellow. He is a batchelor [sic] I believe living in a large house. Ask at Albury if you are anywhere near Tumbarumba Caves because if so they are one of the finest sights of the Colonies.’ Barton wishes he had known this information before Grubbe left, ‘as then you might have gone to Albury via the new line but if you elect to go from Echuca you will at all events see the river Murray’.