In Bohemia. Boston: The Pilot Publishing Co., 1886. First Edition. Pp, 97, 20. Publisher’s green cloth boards, title in gilt to upper cover & spine. All edges in gilt. Light wear to head & tail of spine, off-setting to title page, otherwise a very nice copy.

Presentation copy, Inscribed by the Author on the front free endpaper.

Irish-born John Boyle O’Reilly was convicted for political conspiracy in England and sentenced for 20 years. After spending a number of years in English jails he was transported to Western Australia in 1868 on the last convict ship sent to Australia. Approximately two years later, he escaped and fled to America on a whaling ship. He settled in Boston where he became a prominent literary figure.

Many of his poems contain references to Australia and he is the first poet associated with Western Australia.