Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne, botanic Garden,

14 June 1862.

Sir

I have the honor of bringing under your favorable consideration a proposal of publishing an extract of the larger work on Victorian plants in Octavo form for the use of schools and for such colonists as may be desirous to possess a cheap edition of the "Victoria Flora".

1

B62.03.03.

This brief reprint, corresponding to the first volume of the main-work, would not extend over more than about 120 octavo pages and would most likely have a remunerative sale. Mr Ferres, the Governments Printer, is of opinion, that this work could during the recess of Parliament be carried out without inconvenience and without direct costs at his establishment. The original work being the property of the Government I feel it incumbent on me to point out, that likely a small reedition of the work would be prepared by private parties, unless this loss to the Government would be obviated in the manner proposed.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c

2

On 22 June 1862, O'Shanassy asked: 'What would be the cost to the Govt? What demand is likely to spring up? Would the sale of copies cover the cost? Up to the present whenever the Govt publish any book the demand has been confined to gifts of the work to M of L. A & C. I will be able to decide when I obtain this information. The idea is a good one.' On 23 June, M asked the Government Printer, J. Ferres, for his views on the subject. Ferres replied on 10 July: 'The cost of 1,000 copies of 24 pages will be £8'. M passed on this information on 16 July (see M to J. O'Shanassy, 16 July 1862) and O'Shanassy approved M's proposal on 24 July. However, the project did not go ahead.