Australiana

Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Well for those that have not been there, Stanley with its impossible to miss “Nut” is one of the most picturesque places you are likely to come across. And, steeped in history being a very early settlement associated with Australia’s first major corporation the Van Diemen’s Land Co.

Soft cover, landscape, 68 pages with a page of narrative followed by a sketch throughout. A super reference and keepsake for any Stanley lover.

Beautiful historic Stanley and Artist’s record.

$30.00

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Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

An interesting and enlightening book published as a quality book by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association in 1987.

Tall octavo, 188 pages, produced by Dan Sprod’s Blubber Press. Illustrated with images from early photographs, maps, colour frontispiece of the Old Government House. An excellent copy bar previous name tipped out on a free end paper.

The official and unofficial companions include … Martha Hayes, Maria Lord, Mary Geils, Margaret Davey, Lady Franklin [of course], Caroline Denison and many more. Well researched and written, a book about strong women and their role up front and behind the scenes.

Governor’s got the glory – but what about the women alongside them.

$50.00

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Joseph Mason – assigned Convict 1831-1837 – Edited by Kent and Townsend.

Published by the Melbourne University Press, a fine copy of the first edition 1996. Octavo, 182 pages with end paper maps. Gift inscription on half title otherwise clean as a whistle.

Joseph Mason was transported to New South Wales, one of many who protested against the mechanisation of agriculture … threshing machines.

The large part of this book is his Memoir of goings on a wonderful insight into the Colony … referencing encounters with aboriginal people and good descriptions of convict “assignments” around Sydney, Parramatta and Campbelltown and explorations along the Nepean River.

Good introductory chapters with contributions from David Kent as well as the industrious editors.

One of the more thorough and thoughtful convict accounts

$20.00

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Colonel William Light – Founder of a City (Adelaide) – Dutton and Elder.

A very good book about the industrious and complex character that was William Light who did much to create the City of Adelaide, South Australia.

Published by Melbourne University in 1991. This is the second issue of the work, significantly updated with new content. Octavo, 313 pages, illustrated. A very good if not better copy.

Light switched on Adelaide.

$25.00

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Islands of South-West Tasmania – Gary White

A very helpful book by the thorough Gary White. Not much else is written about the islands of the South West of Tasmania and this fills the gap.

Published by the author in 1980. Softcover, 63 pages and more content than the pages suggest. Some images from photographs .. the islands from a distance quite worthwhile.

In case you are unfamiliar covers .. De Witt island; Maatsuyker .. where you can still put your hand up to be Lighthouse Keeper; Flat (Mutton Bird) Island; Louisa; Fiat Witch and other lesser ones as a group.

South of Tasmania there are some cold islands but they are special.

$30.00

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Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

Maureen Byrne was a professional archaeologist which makes this “local history” rather more honed and full of well researched fact.

Anyone who loves Tasmania either as a local or a visitor cannot help fall in love with the town of Ross and its magnificent convict built bridge.

Published in 1969 by the Australian Society of Historical Archaeology in conjunction with the Ross Council and its then appointed Bridge Restoration Committee .. now there’s a worthwhile cause.

Squarish perfect bound card covered, 51 pages with folding plans at rear. Extensively illustrated from photographs taken by the author. A very good copy.

The bridge was to undergo restoration with the removal of badly laid thick tarmacadam … this was the chance to call in the expert Byrne. A special record was made … the best part being something that could have received better treatment earlier .. 186 carvings, 31 over the top of each arch. Among the carvings along with those involved in the creation of the bridge we have … Jorgen Jorgensen the Danish adventurer then part of life in Van Diemens Land; Governor George Arthur resplendent in his top hat; John Headlam a hated school master in his mortar board; William Kermode a local grazier .. along with horned goods and wild beasts.

Comparison with Italian bridge architecture add interest.

The Ross Bridge rivals European Bridge Architecture with its numerous carvings.

$50.00

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Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

Joseph Mason – assigned Convict 1831-1837 – Edited by Kent and Townsend.

Colonel William Light – Founder of a City (Adelaide) – Dutton and Elder.

Islands of South-West Tasmania – Gary White

Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

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