In October 1838 Boz Jun. advertised in Sydney newspapers for subscriptions for a proposed 24 part work based on Charles Dickens' The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
At least the first two numbers of the work were published by James Tegg on 1 November and 1 December 1838. The first part was sixteen pages long and the second part 24 pages long. Each number cost one shilling.
The Australian newspaper of 26 January 1839 (3) advertised a third number of the work but with no details on publisher, pagination or price.
Advertisements for the parts were published in the Australian and Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser newspapers in October, November and December 1838.
This work was written by James Martin using the pseudonym ' Boz Jun.' 'Rolf Boldrewood' in a biographical piece on the 'life-careers of my school-comrades' published in his selected work In Bad Company and Other Stories writes: 'The first numbers of Pickwick appearing about that time, in green covers, if I mistake not, Martin commenced a tale, embodying a similar style of incident. I forget the title now, but some numbers were printed. It was a boy's audacious imitation, but even at this distance of time I recall the undoubted ability of his performance. Part of the action was laid in London ...'
Elizabeth Webby in 'English Literature in Early Australia: 1830-1839', published in Southerly in March 1976, cites a 'Literary Notice' published in the Colonist newspaper of 5 January 1839. The 'Notice' announces that 'the Australian Pickwick, which was lately started by Mr. Martin, of the Sketch Book, is about to be resumed.' The reason for the delay 'was the protracted indisposition of the author, who has been suffering from a severe attack of catarrh or influenza...' There was an influenza epidemic in Sydney in the last few months of 1838.
Source: 'Rolf Boldrewood'. 'My School Days'. In Bad Company and Other Stories (London: Macmillan and Co., 1901): 360; 'Literary Notice'. The Colonist (5 January 1829): 2; Webby, Elizabeth. 'English Literature in Early Australia: 1830-1839'. Southerly, Vol. 36, No. 1, (March 1976): 73-87
A short review of the first two numbers of the work. The reviewer notes that the 'author succeeds better in this work ... than in his former.'
Advertisement for a new number of the 'Life and Adventures of Tobias Twickenham'. This number, published by James Tegg, is probably the second number of the work. The advertisement in the Australian has 'No. xx'. The same advertisement in the Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser has 'No. II'. The number is advertised as containing 24 pages.
Advertisement for the 'First Number of "The Life and Adventures and Public and Private Career, of Tobias Twickenham, Esq." ... Price One Shilling.' Published by James Tegg.
A short paragraph announcing that the 'first Number of "Tobias Twickenhan," by "Boz," junior, is published.'
A notice advertising for subscribers for a new work to be entitled 'The Life and Adventures and Public and Private Career of Tobias Twickenham, Esq.' The work was to published in 24 parts 'each number to contain sixteen pages similar in size to those of the Pickwick Papers'. Subscription lists were open at 'Mr Tegg's [James Tegg], George-street, Mr Moffitt's [William Moffitt] Pitt-street, and the Australian Office, Hunter-street ... Price 1s each Number'. The first number was intended to be published on the 1 November 1838.
The advertisement seemingly jests that it is inserted by Boz (Charles Dickens) and advises that the work is by 'his nephew'.
At least two parts of this work, entitled A Faithful History of the Life and Adventures, and Public and Private Career of Tobias Twickenham Esquire by 'Boz Jun', were published by James Tegg in November and December 1838.
A review of the first number of the work.
A short review of the first two numbers of the work. The reviewer notes that the 'author succeeds better in this work ... than in his former.'
Paragraph about the intention of a 'young man, author of several productions which have issued from the Colonial press' to publish a series 'after the style of Boz' through subscription. The work was to be entitled "The Peregrinations of Tobias Twichenham, Esq. [sic]".
The 13 November 1838 issue of the Sydney Gazette acknowledges 'the receipt of the first number of a work styled:- A Faithful History of the Life and Adventures, and Public and Private Career of Tobias Twickenham Esquire,... edited by Boz Jun ...' (2)
A notice advertising for subscribers for a new work to be entitled 'The Life and Adventures and Public and Private Career of Tobias Twickenham, Esq.' The work was to published in 24 parts 'each number to contain sixteen pages similar in size to those of the Pickwick Papers'. Subscription lists were open at 'Mr Tegg's [James Tegg], George-street, Mr Moffitt's [William Moffitt] Pitt-street, and the Australian Office, Hunter-street ... Price 1s each Number'. The first number was intended to be published on the 1 November 1838.
The advertisement seemingly jests that it is inserted by Boz (Charles Dickens) and advises that the work is by 'his nephew'.
At least two parts of this work, entitled A Faithful History of the Life and Adventures, and Public and Private Career of Tobias Twickenham Esquire by 'Boz Jun', were published by James Tegg in November and December 1838.
A short paragraph announcing that the 'first Number of "Tobias Twickenhan," by "Boz," junior, is published.'
Advertisement for the 'First Number of "The Life and Adventures and Public and Private Career, of Tobias Twickenham, Esq." ... Price One Shilling.' Published by James Tegg.
Advertisement for a new number of the 'Life and Adventures of Tobias Twickenham'. This number, published by James Tegg, is probably the second number of the work. The advertisement in the Australian has 'No. xx'. The same advertisement in the Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser has 'No. II'. The number is advertised as containing 24 pages.