Summary

Proof from half-tone printing block prepared from an original photograph for inclusion in a newspaper feature article entitled: 'THE JUBILEE YEAR OF AUSTRALIA'S FIRST STRIPPER HARVESTER - Half a Century of Progress in Wheat Harvesting Methods' which appeared in "The Land" (N.S.W), published on Friday, 26th January 1934.
The illustration in this publication carried the caption: 'From an original photo. The late Hugh Victor McKay is seen seated on the machine at the left of the picture.' (see HT 32017-HT 32018).

The illustration also appears in a publication titled 'Australian Farm Machinery', produced by H.V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd for school children over several editions between 1948 and 1957 (see TL 68239, TL 00954, etc).

The original photograph on which the illustration is based is belived to depict a public demonstration of two early McKay harvesters held on the property of H.V. McKay's father Mr Nathaniel McKay, at Drummartin, on Tuesday 21st December 1886. One of the harvesters was driven during the trial by H.V. McKay himself, and the other by a younger sixteen year old brother James McKay. A report of the event published by The Elmore Standard, on 24th December 1886, described the demonstration as follows:
"There were two machines at work, their first attempt being on a self-sown crop, and the second on an even crop of about 20 bushels to the acre, in which they gave general satisfaction. The soil was a sandy loam, and heavy for travelling, and was much against quick work."

The reporter also commented that: "During the afternoon Mr. Abson, Photographer, of Elmore, took an excellent picture of the machines and groups of spectators standing about. A large number of 10 in. x 15 in. copies have been sold and no doubt Mr. Abson will gain in popularity and business, his work being really first class."

An earlier demonstration of McKay harvesters that was held at the 'Pine Hill' property of Wm. Anderson, near Moama, New South Wales, on Tuesday 14th December 1886.

Description of Content

A deep-etched photograph or line drawing from a photograph showing two early model horse-drawn stripper-harvesters being demonstrated in the field in front of a group of spectators. Note: The original description described the machines depicted as 'Strippers' that '... have been modified (into harvesters) by the addition of a winnower and elevator (in the rear of the machine) and bagging-off equipment'. They are in fact early purpose-built combine harvesters which demonstrate the origin of McKay's harvester design based on the standard stripper with additions as described.

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