Jacob Richard Clarke

Jacob Richard Clarke (1822-1893) was a leading bookseller and music publisher in Sydney in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Biography Iris varsoviana, 1857-1864, sheet music printed by J. R. Clarke Born in England in 1822, Clarke studied church architecture in Taunton, Somerset. He left England in his twenties and after living for a time in New Zealand he settled in Sydney around 1853. Over the next 40 years Clarke established himself as a leading bookseller, stationer and music publisher in Sydney.

In the same year Clarke published a series of six lithographic views of Sydney by F C Terry and titled "Australian Keepsake.” In 1858 he published Richard Rowe, aka Peter Possum's Portfolio, dedicated to Nicol Stenhouse and in 1859 published some of the first outdoor photographs of Sydney, compiled by the photographer William Hetzer. Clarke's ‘Australian Musical Albums’, published in 1857 and 1863, emphasised his technical skills and he was one of the first Australian publishers to produce music with coloured illustrations as frontispieces. His patrons included Sir Alfred Stephen and Bishop Alfred Barry. Upon his release Clarke appears to have gone back into business and between 1869 and 1873 he advertised himself as book print and music seller, depot for photographs at 23 Hunter Street Sydney. By 1875 he had premises at 317 George Street

One of his sons, John William Richard Clarke, followed his father into the bookselling business. He also appears to have had a keen interest in the protection of native animals, birds and trees.

Publications J. R. Clarke letters from notable citizens and visitors; with typescript explanatory note by C. H. Bertie and J. R. Clarke's obituary notice, 1856-1893 State Library of New South Wales A 2381 Sydney University, 1869–1873, by Walter Chaffer, published by JR Clarke, book print and music seller, depot for photographs, 23 Hunter Street Sydney, SPF/456 Poems and songs, by Henry Kendall, Sydney : J. R. Clarke; London : Sampson Low, Son, and Marston 1862, State Library of New South Wales DSM/A821/K Map of the portion of North Eastern Australia, comprehending the districts of Moreton bay & Port Curtis and especially indicating the goldfields, J.R. Clarke Publisher, 1858, State Library of New South Wales Z/MC 842/1858/1 Views of Australia and the Fiji Islands, 1860–1877, Published by JR Clarke, J. Paul Getty Museum, 84.XA.1515 Map of the colonies of New South Wales and Queensland, shewing the post towns, stations & roads. 1860, J.R. Clarke, publisher, Sydney, State Library of New South Wales, DSM/MC 805gmd/1860/1 Berncastle, Julius. The Revolt of the Bengal Sepoys / by Dr. Berncastle. J. R. Clarke, 1857, State Library of New South Wales DSM/042/P245 "Iris" varsoviana [music] : new and fashionable dance. Sydney : J. R. Clarke, between 1857 and 1864, State Library of New South Wales MUSIC FILE/IRI Trovatore. Ai nostri monti. Vocal score. English and Italian, Giuseppe Verdi, arranged for voice and piano by L. H. Lavenu, State Library of New South Wales online MUSIC FILE/VER Home sweet home, as sung by Miss Catherine Hayes, music by Henry R. Bishop, words by J. H. Payne, Sydney : J. R. Clarke, 185-, F. Cunninghame, printer, State Library of New South Wales MUSIC FILE/BIS Unidentified auxiliary steam and sailing ship, between 1860 and 1880, published by J. R. Clarke, carte de visite, State Library of New South Wales SHIPS FILE/56 Unidentified Clipper Ship, published by J. R. Clarke, 1860, State Library of New South Wales SHIPS FILE/55