An historic manuscript will be sold at a Bonhams & Goodman auction on Monday 6 August in Sydney.
A chance discovery by Bonhams specialists in London has produced a missing official document relating to the fundamental operations of the First Fleet showing a ratio of four civilian men to one woman sent to establish the colony. Countless publications refer to the operational details of the First Fleet, names of the ships and the military and administrative personnel and civilian convicts etc; Chances are they are referring to this document.
International fine art auction house Bonhams will offer the First Fleet Document through its Australian business Bonhams & Goodman in the Double Bay rooms in Sydney on Monday evening 6 August at approx 6.10pm EST. at an auction sale of Decorative Arts and Australian historic items. A new world auction record for an Australian manuscript is anticipated.
Head of Books, Maps and manuscripts at Bonhams & Goodman, Tory Page said, "This is a remarkable discovery. There has not been a First Fleet manuscript offered for sale in many decades. All of this material is in libraries and Museums. We have received interest from institutions, dealers and collectors in Australia and from abroad".

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