Roger Braham made a parting gift to the Sir Henry Parkes Museum on his relocation to Armidale, with the donation of a book of Wordsworth poetry signed by Sir Henry Parkes.
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Friends of Sir Henry Parkes Schools of the Art’s Peter Jeffrey was happy to accept the donation on the museum’s behalf, saying the book is a valuable addition to the museum’s display.
“The fact that it’s signed by Sir Henry Parkes gives it great significance to the School of Arts,” he said.
Mr Braham said the book was found in the library of his grandfather MAH Fitzhardinge, a prominent solicitor in Sydney, after his death. A spinster aunt passed the book onto Mr Braham, who can only guess as to how it came to be signed by the renowned statesman.
“MAH stood for parliament on two occasions, unsuccessfully, so perhaps he knew Sir Henry Parkes from that,” he said.
“Also Parkes went bankrupt several times so MAH could have picked it up at a clearing sale.”
While the real story may never be known, it adds a level of mystery to the museum’s latest acquisition.
