Queensland

Narrative of the Wreck of HMS Porpoise – Robert Purdie [A Flinders Item]

Octavo, xiv, 134 pages, published by Hordern House in 2014. A very good copy.

Robert Purdie was a young surgeon who was wrecked on HMS Porpoise on a reef off the Queensland coast (to become known as “Wreck Reef’’). This was the vessel originally taking Matthew Flinders back the England having completed his coastal survey of Australia, confirming the entirety of the land mass. Purdie’s account had been published anonymously in The Naval Chronicle in 1807/07. He had been a junior officer on the Investigator and was among those that stayed on the reef whilst Flinders and other rowed back to Sydney to successfully mount a rescue.

The narrative is lively, informative and readable … here well presented with an excellent introduction and notes by Matthew Fishburn

Flinders and Wreck Reef by Surgeon’s Mate Purdie.

$40.00

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(Australian) Settlers Camp – Newton & Co – Original Magic Lantern Slide – c1900

Very good condition magic lantern slide from Newton & Co, Fleet Street, London circa 1900, maybe earlier.

We date the slide to around 1900. New & Co were at 43 Museum Street London. They were the world’s longest established suppliers of scientific instruments being formed by Sir Isaac Newton’s cousin J. Newton in 1704. At the time of this slide the proprietors were still from the Newton family. The British Museum have Newton & Co out of business at Museum Street in 1913, but other references have it continuing.

The handwritten slide description included BGG who we presume is the photographer although we cannot find him in any records so far.

An interesting moment in the bush, very dry condition. We suspect that the two forward characters are having a break from working on the sizable log in front. The gent at the rear, heavily dressed suggesting winter conditions and perhaps well away from the coast. Super detail on magnification. Standard British size in fine condition. We believe this slide and image is pretty rare not being able to place it elsewhere.

Newton & Co’s address is in sight of the British Museum in London and also opposite The Plough …a favourite Voyager pub.

Settler Camp we suspect in the Queensland bush

$60.00

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Destination Barrier Reef – Arnold Lock – First Edition 1955

Published by Georgian House, Melbourne a first edition 1955. Octavo, 227 pages, illustrated with numerous images from photographs taken by the author. End paper maps. Some dust jacket repairs, generally a nice copy. Super dust jacket art.

A well put together book, by traveler Arnold Lock, of Queensland along the Great Barrier Reef .. we particularly like the Hinchinbrook / Cardwell section. Despite the title quite a bit in the Torres Strait and particularly Badu Island (a favourite of contemporary Idriess) and the pearling industry. Don’t whatever you do step on a stone fish … not nice.

The Barrier Reef and further “Up” before the tourist got there … well most of them

$35.00

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Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

Minted by Stokes and Sons, 31 mm diameter circa 14 gms weight. Reference Carlisle 1897/43

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with enthusiasm around the Commonwealth. This medal was issued by the Municipality of Brisbane to celebrate the event.

On the obverse we have Jugate busts of a young and older Queen Victoria, around Queen Victoria’s 60th Year of Reign *1837 to 1897* … mint name Stokes & Sons in tiny letter on the rim below the date.

The reverse has at its centre within a wide rim the Shield of the Municipality, quartered with top left … horses, sheep and bull; top right … farmer with plough, wheat sheaf and spade; bottom left early steam-ship and lighthouse; bottom right … sailing ship at Brisbane Port loading produce including bale of wool and barrels. Around the rim *Municipality of Brisbane* Incorporated 1859.

Collectable Victoriana Unique to Brisbane.

$40.00

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Wealth in the Wilderness – Arthur Groom – First edition 1955

A first edition of Arthur Groom’s final travel book in the outback of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1955. Octavo, 198 pages, end paper maps and illustrated throughout from photographs taken along the way by the author.

The end paper maps are the best reference to the progress and extent of his journey all undertaken in a period utility of low horse power. A charming narrative that keeps the readers interest with many relevant illustrations.

Arthur Groom out in the outback one last time.

$25.00

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Disturbing Element [An Autobiography] – Xavier Herbert – First Edition 1963

A very nice first edition copy of Australian writer Xavier Herbert’s autobiography.

Born in 1901 Xavier Herbert had a rather strange upbringing. He trained as a Pharmacist having worked in a chemist’s shop at the age of 14. He went to Melbourne to study medicine. Writing was a passion but he was in his thirties before his great work “Capricornia” was published to great acclaim. He was much admired by HG Wells.

Xavier Herbert was the “Disturbing Element’. Published by F.W. Cheshire, Melbourne etc in 1963. Octavo, 271 pages, a very good if not better copy.

Xavier Herbert published few works and his final novel “Poor Fellow My Country” was published in 1975 and won him the Miles Franklin award. It is also the longest novel ever published by an Australian writer at 1,466 pages and an estimated 852 thousand words

Interesting autobiography of the elusive talented Xavier Herbert.

$30.00

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Narrative of the Wreck of HMS Porpoise – Robert Purdie [A Flinders Item]

(Australian) Settlers Camp – Newton & Co – Original Magic Lantern Slide – c1900

Destination Barrier Reef – Arnold Lock – First Edition 1955

Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

Wealth in the Wilderness – Arthur Groom – First edition 1955

Disturbing Element [An Autobiography] – Xavier Herbert – First Edition 1963

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