University of Adelaide.

The address was presented to Sir Thomas Elder in appreciation of his gift of 20,000 pounds to the University on the passage of the Act of Incorporation in November 1874. The donation was "to be applied by the governing body in the manner best calculated to promote the interests of the Institution, without limitations or conditions on his part" and at the decision of Council in January 1875 was used to establish two chairs, one in Mathematics and the other in Natural Science. The first two Elder professors were Horace Lamb and Ralph Tate. The illuminated address was commissioned from R.S. Minchin immediately on notice of the gift and presented to Sir Thomas on behalf of the University Association on 8 December 1874. The cost of the address was 15 guineas, a significant sum.

From the description of Address to the Hon. Thomas Elder from the University of Adelaide [electronic resource]. 1874. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225326254