"Album of drawings entitled The dawn of art: original sketches and drawings by Aboriginal natives of the Northern Territory executed without the aid of a master. Exhibited by John George Knight, Deputy Sheriff, Palmerston, Northern Territory, South Australia 1880-1889. Also one sheet of figures drawn by a native prisoner on the walls of Palmerston Gaol, Northern Territory."

One of the artists, Wandy Wandy, was hanged at Fanny Bay Goal in 1893 for the murder of six unnamed malays.

Some of the artists, including Billiamook and Wandy Wandy are included in the portraits of Inspector Paul Foelsche (AA 96/2) and cross reference is made in the finding aid for individuals.

The album is complimented by a set of 60x45 mm color negatives, a set of 35 mm color slides, four black and white photographs of what is presumed to be the wall drawings, and what apears to be a partial set of color prints with annotations.