We, The Aborigines

by Douglas Lockwood

Cassell Australia, 1963, [First Edition], full page black and white photographs, hardcover with illustrated boards, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, some water damage (mould spotting) to back cover, previous owners inscription on front endpaper, dustjacket in fair condition with damage to back (colour matched card attached to reverse dustjacket to minimise damage), rubbing, bumping, chipping, tears (to front), repaired water/mould damage (see photographs)

“Hey look at this fellow with the camera! It’s Douglas Lockwood.  He says he has written a book about us called We, The Aborigines.  First it was I, The Aboriginal.  Now he has put us in the plural.
No wonder we are sometimes called God’s gift to the authors and photographers.  He writes about us in newspapers, too, The Melbourne Herald, the Adelaide Advertiser, the Brisbane Courier-Mail and the Sydney Morning Herald are always printing stories he writes about us.  We know because we use the papers to roll cigarettes.  (Our favourite paper is the airmail edition of the London Times.  It smokes very well indeed).  But the temerity of this Lockwood, writing books about us!  What would he know about the aborigines? Says he has lived in the Northern Territory for twenty years.  Says he has many aboriginal friends who visit his home.  Says he has been in out camps from Arnhem Land to Ayers Rock.  (That may be true.  This picture with us was taken at Elcho Island)  But here’s the point: Can he play a didgeridoo?... can h stalk and kill a kangaroo with a spear? … has he been tribally initiated?
We answer, No.  Therefore you will have to read this book to find out how much he knows about us and out habits, our hates, our loves, our past, our present and our future.  In doing so, you may discover that we know something about you, too.”