Reference: see Wallis & Wallis - The Spring Sale & Militaria, Arms and Armour, Lot 14, 1 May 2013, An oval miniature watercolour of Captain Alexander McCrae, 84th Regiment, dated June 23rd 1832 believed by Georgiana Huntley McCrae (unsigned), 4¾” x 5¾”, in a gilt mount and frame. The portrait half length, wearing scarlet coatee and full dress epaulettes, the head in fine detail. Good Condition Plate 10.
Note: Captain Alexander McCrae c 1799-1871, served in Ireland and the West Indies. He attained the rank of Captain in 1830, his sister in law was the noted artist Georgiana Huntley McCrae. Captain McCrae arrived in the Port Philip district (Australia) in June 1841 and after a period of financial anxiety was appointed to a position in the Treasury by Lieut Governor L A Trobe in 1845. After the separation of Victoria from New South Wales La Trobe appointed Captain McCrae as the inaugural Post Master General, a position he held from 1851 until he retired in 1857. Georgiana Huntley McCrae (1804-1890) was a noted artist who married Captain Alexander McCrae’s brother Andrew at Gordon Castle (Andrew being a Kinsman of the Gordons), they emigrated to Australia in 1829. Captain Alexander McCrae assisted Georgiana in England as she waited to travel to Port Philip and his experiences with the New Zealand Maoris influenced his brother Andrew’s attitude towards the Bunurong.
Publishing details: Hale & Iremonger,1984,hc, dw, 288pp
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