Print: Baxter CL 195 - A companion to print to No.  196. ‘News from Australia’ which was published a short while after this.
 
Courtney Lewis describes the scene in ‘The Picture Printer’ of 1924 as “We are here shown diggers at the gold-field, in their hut, surrounded by dogs, fire arms, and other accessories of a settler's life.  One of them is reading an account of the Great Exhibition.  A native postman has just brought a letter from home, and seems highly pleased with a gratuity which has been given him, and which we see in the palm of his hand.”
 
This is after a painting by Harden S. Melville which was quite recently discovered in the National Gallery of Australia where it has the title - The Squatter’s Hut: News from Home”
 
On Baxter’s steel plate under the prints is the text "Australia. News from Home.  Designed by H. S.  Melville, and Engraved, Printed, and Published by G. Baxter, Patentee, 11 & 12, Northampton Square, Jany. 31, 1853 (Entered at Stationers' Hall)." 
 
The print was produced from twelve blocks, and was originally sold at 1s. 6d. 

For the fullest detail read HERE
 
Date: 1853
 
Approx size (cm ht x w): 10.9 x 14.7 (print) 18.6 x 25 (mount)
 
State: On stamped mount as issued
 
Condition: Pristine colours, odd spots to mount