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y separately published work icon Account of a Race of Human Beings with Tails : Discovered by Mr Jones, the Traveller, in the Interior of New Guinea single work   novella   science fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 1873... 1873 Account of a Race of Human Beings with Tails : Discovered by Mr Jones, the Traveller, in the Interior of New Guinea
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

First published as articles in the Melbourne Herald, the articles (later republished in pamphlet form in 1875) claim to be an account of a journey into the islands. Cole sought to capitalize on the public fascination with the island to Australia's north. He responds to both the interest in New Guinea and Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory by claiming that a race of human beings with tails could be found within the New Guinea interior.

Source: Brawley, Sean and Chris Dixon. The South Seas: A Reception History from Daniel Defoe to Dorothy Lamour. Lexington Books, 2015.

Notes

  • This story of the discovery of a race of humans with 'tails' was concocted by Cole as an advertising stunt; a highly original method of promoting his bookshop and its selection of 'tales'. It was originally published in serial form in Cole's regular column of advertisements in The Herald from August 1873, and was subsequently published as a novella by Cole.

  • The tribe of people characterised in the story is called the 'Elocwe', which is 'E. W. Cole' written backwards. The king of this tribe is 'Nannerb Siuol', 'Louis Brennan' spelt backwards - Brennan was a friend of Cole's. Furthermore, the name of the village inhabited by the Elocweans is 'Etihwretep' (Peter White) and the river in the story is 'Ramsderf' (Fred Smar[t]). White and Smart were employees of Coles.

    (Source: Graham Stone. Notes on Australian Science Fiction. Sydney, New South Wales : The Author, 1991).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Notes:

Cover title.
The title at the commencement of the text is 'Discovery of a race of human beings with tails'.

    • Melbourne, Victoria,: E. W. Cole , 1873 .
      Printed by A. T. Mason
      Extent: 30, 6p.p.
      Note/s:

      • First published in serial form in Cole's regular column of advertisements in The Herald. The first episode appeared on 23 August 1873.

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Works about this Work

Lost and Found Cities and Peoples : Around the World Graham Stone , 2001 single work review bibliography biography
— Appears in: Notes on Australian Science Fiction 2001; (p. 91-95)
— Review of Account of a Race of Human Beings with Tails : Discovered by Mr Jones, the Traveller, in the Interior of New Guinea E. W. Cole , 1873 single work novella ; Phosphor : An Ischian Mystery J. Filmore Sherry , 1888 single work novel ; Adventures in New Guinea : The Narrative of Louis Trégance, a French Sailor, Nine Years in Captivity among the Orangwoks, a Tribe in the Interior of New Guinea H. C. M. Watson , 1876 single work children's fiction ; Gobi or Shamo : A Story of Three Songs Gilbert Murray , 1889 single work novel ; Isban Israel : A South African Story George Cossins , 1896 single work novel ; The Nameless City : A Rommany Romance Fergus Hume , 1894 single work novel
Lost and Found Cities and Peoples : Around the World Graham Stone , 2001 single work review bibliography biography
— Appears in: Notes on Australian Science Fiction 2001; (p. 91-95)
— Review of Account of a Race of Human Beings with Tails : Discovered by Mr Jones, the Traveller, in the Interior of New Guinea E. W. Cole , 1873 single work novella ; Phosphor : An Ischian Mystery J. Filmore Sherry , 1888 single work novel ; Adventures in New Guinea : The Narrative of Louis Trégance, a French Sailor, Nine Years in Captivity among the Orangwoks, a Tribe in the Interior of New Guinea H. C. M. Watson , 1876 single work children's fiction ; Gobi or Shamo : A Story of Three Songs Gilbert Murray , 1889 single work novel ; Isban Israel : A South African Story George Cossins , 1896 single work novel ; The Nameless City : A Rommany Romance Fergus Hume , 1894 single work novel
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Last amended 20 Apr 2016 09:17:48
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    Papua New Guinea,
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    Pacific Region,
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