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My Fourth Tour in Western Australia – Albert F Calvert – Illustrated Walker Hodgson – First Edition 1897 – A Presentation Copy and Interesting Provenence

A first edition of Calvert’s most impressive book published in 1897. A presentation copy from publisher William Heinemann, London to Herbert Ingram … compliments slip bound in at title page.

The illustrator Walker Hodgson completed the tour and is described by Calvert in his Preface as “the Lion of the Party”.

The copy was later purchased by Victor Deuters and gifted to his son David. Deuters was a close acquaintance of the illustrator, Walker Hodgson. The book contains a copy letter from Hodgson to Victor … for the purposes of the gift to his son. Hodgson’s in true “artistic hand” runs to four sides, mentions david as a little boy, many reminiscences and then a lengthy section on this Calvert book … where it can be found; contents; his involvement in illustrations and also contributing the last two chapters; its good reception at the time etc. Hodgson refers to himself as “the Old Scarecrow” obviously feeling his age and signing of with a scarecrow decoration at signature. The letter is dated 1940 and he concludes “We can hear the sounds of War from here, quite clearly!”

Large quarto, xxvi, 359 pages, catalogue. Tissue guarded frontispiece portrait of Calvert, ten plates – some double page, 400 in text illustrations. Coloured folding map of Western Australia showing the Gold Fields, minor tape repair at map hinge. Half bound dark blue over lighter blue cloth covered boards, gilt title front and spine. A really nice clean and bright copy.

In the 1890’s Calvert became and authority on Australia and published important books about its early discovery and exploration. His works on western Australia are unique and based on his own experiences. He first cam to Australia in 1890 in the company of his grandfather and perhaps his father, both of whom were involved in mining. Their first trip under the umbrella of the General Exploration Company was largely unsuccessful. Further trips ensued with greater success … this the fourth trip the most expansive and best recorded. The illustrations, particularly of mining towns and activity are special.

Sir Herbert Ingram was the 2nd Baronet Ingram. His grandfather founded the Illustrated London News which his father later managed. The lithographed bookplate carries an image by Alphonse Mucha maybe the most sought after illustrator of the period.

Calvert’s superior book on Western Australia and Mining with a special enchanting provenance.

$690.00

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Original 17th Century Map of Ireland by Mallet – Published Paris 1683

A striking hand coloured original copper engraved miniature map “Royaume d’Irlande” the Kingdom of Ireland, by Allain Mallet published in Paris in 1683 as part of his great work on “the Universe”. One of the most sought after Mallet maps in fine condition.

Paper size 22cm by 14cm; map surrounds 16cm by 12cm. Good condition … would frame nicely.

Allain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) was a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV and became a Sergeant Major and an Inspector of Fortifications a role which afforded him the resources required to produce this treasure.

Price $160.00 unframed.

The most beautiful map of the Emerald Isle … every Irishman should have one …

$160.00

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Platypus by Lesueur from Baudin Voyage – c1820

An original hand coloured engraving of Platypus after a drawing by Charles-Alexandre Lesueur from the voyage of Nicolas Baudin. Depicting a female and male platypus and another male head appearing from the rushes to the right and the “tail up” of a diving female showing the monotremate area under the tail with the opening to the reproductive organs.

printed on wove paper 20cm by 13cm … small, charming historic engraving using a stipple engraving technique. Good condition.

Platypus delight from the Baudin expedition

$180.00

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Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

An original hand-coloured engraving of the Western Rosella published in Edinburgh 1826 by Scotland’s greatest naturalist Sir William Jardine (1800-1874). This image is one of the earliest fine engravings of the bird.

Now referred to as Platycercus icterotis the Western Rosella of Moyadong is endemic to southern Western Australia. The yellow patches on the cheeks distinguishes from other members of the genus; icterotis means “yellow ear”. This is a male the females being duller in colouring. The first description of the bird was published by Temminck and Kuhl in 1820 from a collection gained in King George Sound. It was Nicholas Vigor who classified the bird as described in this engraving. The narrative accompanying the engraving states that Mr Vigors description of the bird is to be published in the forthcoming Zoological Journal confirming the very early nature of the engraving

Published as part of Jardine’s first great work “Illustrations in Ornithology” a now scarce and valuable collection of bird engravings. This is a large scale edition for those familiar with the pocket book sized engraving from the more common Jardine collection. Paper size 30cm by 23cm and as one can see the bird occupies the page impressively. Strong bright colours, fine engraving of feather texture.

Jardine was the 7th Baronet of Applegirth, Dumfriesshire and founder of the Ray Society. He was a superb artist in his own right but utilised the great illustrators of the day to complete his works including, Edward Lear, Selby, Stewart, Thompson and William Holmes-Lizars

Price $120.00 Unframed

Very early engraving of the Western Rosella

$120.00

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Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

First edition of this collection of short stories by Chandler published by Hamish Hamilton, London in 1964. Octavo, 332 pages, very good dust jacket designed by “Andrew” page edges foxed but still a great copy of a sought after Chandler collection … rare in such a good dust jacket.

Published posthumously, Chandler died in 1959. Most had appeared early on in the magazine “Mask” in the USA … some elements of the stories were cannibalised into his later novels. See if you can spot them.

The eight stories of reasonably equal length include the title “Killer in the Rain’ and Bay City Blues; No Crime in the Mountains; Mandarin’s Jade; The Lady in the Lake; Try the Girl; The Curtain and The Man Who Liked Dogs … well who doesn’t.

Introduced by Chandler expert of the day, Prof Philip Durham of the University of California where numerous Chandler ephemera are housed.

Chandler – eight thrilling stories – first edition.

$65.00

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Graham Greene Yours Etc – Letters to the Press 1945-1989 – Selected and Introduced Hawtree

First edition published by Reinhardt and Viking in 1989. Complements the lengthy biographies nicely. Octavo, 269 pages including useful index. A fine copy.

Evelyn Waugh advised Green on his election to the magnificent club that is “Whites” that “ It is a rule that letters to the newspapers may not be written on the club writing paper”. So Greene had already established his reputation in that regard.

One can only envy Greene’s wit, turn of phrase, pungency etc. The letters are more than that though; they often take you to the issues, personalities and goings on of 20th Century modern history. Sometimes he is just having a crack. Superbly entertaining and informative.

Greene never held back and delivered with dignity and wit

$50.00

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All products

My Fourth Tour in Western Australia – Albert F Calvert – Illustrated Walker Hodgson – First Edition 1897 – A Presentation Copy and Interesting Provenence

Original 17th Century Map of Ireland by Mallet – Published Paris 1683

Platypus by Lesueur from Baudin Voyage – c1820

Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

Graham Greene Yours Etc – Letters to the Press 1945-1989 – Selected and Introduced Hawtree

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