Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Part of Cox's Pass, New South Wales

Part of Cox's Pass, New South Wales

after 1814
SV1B / Blu M / 21
Lithographic print

In 1814, just a year after the Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson crossing, Governor Lachlan Macquarie commissioned the military officer and magistrate William Cox (1764-1837) to supervise the building of the first road across the Blue Mountains. Cox oversaw a team of 30 convicts, who took only six months to build 163 kilometres of road, which spanned from Emu Plains to the Macquarie River (near present day Bathurst.)

This lithograph was published in London in 1821, and depicts part of Cox’s road descending from Mount York to the Hartley Vale below. The artist, E. Purcell, based the scene on drawings originally done by John William Lewin. In 1815 the natural history artist travelled with Governor Macquarie on his inspection of Cox’s road and the western plains. Governor Macquarie was impressed with Cox’s work, and named this descent from Mount York, Cox’s Pass. Cox’s Pass is today a popular bushwalk.

Rowney & Forster

In the bottom right corner of the print is the name of the printmaker who produced the plate. Rowney & Forster were a London printing firm who also manufactured inks and varnishes. The company was established by two brothers, Thomas and Richard Rowney in 1793. They started as wig and perfume makers, but soon moved into supplying writing and art materials. When the partnership ended, Thomas kept the art supply business and took his son, Richard into the company in 1806. In 1815, young Richard Rowney went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Richard Forster, becoming Rowney & Forster. This name lasted until 1831, when the business became George Rowney & Co. The company was incorporated in 1924 and still exists today as Daler-Rowney Ltd.