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Life in Old Van Diemens Land – Joan Goodrick

A lively account of the first fifty years of VDL. From the early Governors to butchers, bakers and candlestick makers (literally). The health hazards of the town creek might put public safety in perspective.

Published by Rigby in 1977, octavo, 220 pages, illustrated throughout. A very good copy

Succinct readable Tasmanian history

$25.00

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The South Pole – An account of the Norwegian Expedition in the “Fram” 1910-1912 – Roald Amundsen – Queensland University Facsimile 1976

Facsimile edition, and a scarce one, published under the moniker of the University of Queensland Press in 1976. The original edition was published in 1912 and is highly collectable. Two volumes bound as one making it quite an impressive book in stature xxv, 392 pages; x, 449 pages. Illustrated from the original with plates and maps, one folding of each. A very good copy in a very good dust jacket.

The first to the pole. Account of Amundsen’s legendary dash to the Pole. He beat Scott’s Expedition by a month reaching the Pole on 14th December 1911. The use of dog sleds, better clothing, nutrition and a single minded purpose are factors that put Amundsen ahead of Scott.

Norwegian Captain Roald Amundsen had initially intended make an expedition to the Arctic, but changed his plans at the last moment and announced he would try for the South Pole instead. His explanation to the public was that if he could beat the English and Japanese expeditions to the Pole then he could secure success and funds for his extensive Arctic expedition, and also snatch the prize for his own country.

Amundsen sailed southward in the Fram to the Bay of Whales that would afford his expedition both the shortest route to the Pole and a route that would not overlap with either the Japanese or the English expeditions. From start to finish, Amundsen’s expedition ran like clockwork. He carefully planned every moment of the trip, using his experience in the Arctic and his extensive knowledge of dog-teams to help him through. His team was entirely Norwegian, accustomed to a harsh and cold climate, and were excellent ski-runners. In addition, Amundsen travelled light; he brought five men and fifty dogs on his expedition so that the latter could eventually serve as food for the former. Part of what doomed Scott’s party was the fact that he favoured men and ponies over dogs, bringing twelve men, eight ponies, and only twenty-six dogs.

Amundsen’s party remained in excellent health and always had enough to eat from their plentiful provisions at their well-stocked supply depots. They also supplemented their food stores with a great seal hunt just before the winter, after which 120,000 lb. of fresh seal meat were added to their stores, which helped protect them against scurvy.

Unlike Scott’s party, Amundsen’s party were also fortunate enough to have favourable weather conditions on their side, so that they were able to reach the Pole using their supply depots and dog sleds in just 99 days, a distance of 1860 miles, covering an astonishing average of 19 miles a day over frozen and difficult ground. Their journey was truly an extraordinary accomplishment, and Amundsen’s account of it is no less riveting

Amundsen – Fine facsimile of The South Pole published by Queensland University

$140.00

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Banditti Beware – Bushranging with Bardy in Old Van Diemen’s Land – Bob Minchin.

Self published in 2000. Softcover, perfect bound, 100 pages, illustrated. A fine copy.

Convict Matthew Brady was banished to Van Diemen’s Land but it was not long after William Sorrell declared, in June 1824, the security system ‘Nearly Perfect” that Brady and a bunch of renegades escaped from Macquarie Harbour. Between then and the eventual hanging of Matthew Brady in May of 1826 the gang that Brady was soon to lead caused Mayhem throughout Van Diemen’s Land.

Great references to the locations, building, pubs that the gang frequented … would make for a good historical tour.

Minchin and the works on Mattheew Brady Bushranger Royalty.

$30.00

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A History of Tasmania – Vol I – Van Diemen’s Land from the earliest Times to 1855 – Lloyd Robson

First edition 1983 published by the Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Thick royal octavo, 6312 pages, illustrated, end paper maps. A fine copy.

The early part of what would become a two volume work by Robson. The author a historian of distinction educated at UTAS, University of London and ANU when appointed into the Department of History Melbourne was awarded a Nuffield Foundation Scholarship to write this history in the UK.

Pointedly ahead of its time after the introductory “Reconnaissance” Robson titles the arrival of the first settlers and convicts … “Invasion”.

As you would expect a solid history which undoubtedly draws on West, Giblin etc but with the advantages of modern research pre-Goggle.

Solid comprehensive well written history of Tasmania to the end of Transportation and the beginning of self Government.

$60.00

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Knopwood: A Biography – Geoffrey Stephens

Self published in 1990 by Geoffrey Stephens the Rector of the Anglican Church Moonah, Tasmania.

Large format softcover, perfect bound, 226 pages, illustrated throughout ending with references, index etc and “Knopwoodiana” an interesting list of Knopwood relics and where they are housed .. e.g. the Museum has not just his sermons and bible but his Magistrates wig and wig block .. his riding cap and his fishing creole.

Very good condition albeit top corner creased. Clean as a whistle inside

The author a holder of several degrees in history and theology has left no stone unturned in writing this chronological biography of maybe Tasmania’s best known early identity. Arriving on the very first settlement ship and recording for many years his and others activities all the way through to the Franklins.

Knopwood a good all round account of the well liked often controversial Bobby Knopwood.

$30.00

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Tasmanian Shipwrecks 2 Volume – Vol I (1797-1899) and Vol II – (1900-1999) – Graeme Broxam and Michael Nash

Complete and fine. Has to be the definitive Tasmanian Wreck reference.

First editions published in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Large octavo, 342 pages and 400 pages after preliminaries, illustrated throughout, particularly from period photographs. Fine as good as it gets. Quality printing a heavy set which will require an Overseas mailing supplement.

Published by Navarine as part of the Roebuck Series No 51 and No 54.

Tasmanian Wrecks and there are plenty of them.

$190.00

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Life in Old Van Diemens Land – Joan Goodrick

The South Pole – An account of the Norwegian Expedition in the “Fram” 1910-1912 – Roald Amundsen – Queensland University Facsimile 1976

Banditti Beware – Bushranging with Bardy in Old Van Diemen’s Land – Bob Minchin.

A History of Tasmania – Vol I – Van Diemen’s Land from the earliest Times to 1855 – Lloyd Robson

Knopwood: A Biography – Geoffrey Stephens

Tasmanian Shipwrecks 2 Volume – Vol I (1797-1899) and Vol II – (1900-1999) – Graeme Broxam and Michael Nash

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