Non-fiction

Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

Ion Idriess found this his hardest book to write yet it is another masterpiece of yarn and knowledge all revolving around the elusive diamond

Published by Angus and Robertson, a 1957 edition. Large octavo, 344 pages, decorative “woodcut style” illustrations at most chapter headings. A very good, clean copy.

Diamonds for men – Nice copy

$60.00

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Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

First published by Angus and Robertson in 1933. This is the new edition, 1949, Inscribed by the author “Cheerio and good luck Ion Idriess”.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket is worn and repaired along the folds, the odd chip but still has some grace .. we love the colourway on this one.

The “Drums of Mer” captures the charm of the Torres Strait Islands. As usual great images to accompany an Idriess book. A selection of chapter titles gives one a feel … When the Blood Lust calls; The Battle of the Fly; Velvet Claws; The Trouncing of Kebisu; Jakara Makes Love and The People of the Auwo Oromo. Mer (Murray Island) is sitting between Yule Entrance and Flinders Entrance closer to Papua New Guinea than Australia.

Rare Idriess superb writing signed by the author

$60.00

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Tasmanian Classic – A Hundred Years of Yachting – Webster and Norman – First Edition 1936

A very good copy of this prized first edition. Published by the Hobart Marine Board and City Council in 1936.

Large format octavo (24.4cm x 16.5cm), 256 pages, illustrated throughout. Colour illustration and title to front board.

The hundred years references the first Hobart Regatta held in December 1838, so they jumped the starting gun a little. We will excuse them for that as it is a fabulous record of the love of yachting on the Derwent.

Perhaps Hobart’s most important yachting collectable in ship shape condition.

$280.00

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A History of Railways and Tramways on Tasmania’s West Coast – Lou Rae

A second printing of Rae’s sought after book on the Tasmanian West Coast railways. These railways stimulated at the end of the 19thC and beginning of the 20thC by the huge development of mining activity in the region.

So, this is more than a book about trains as the railways were a fundamental requirement of the success of the region. And, the timing of it brought some of the most interesting steam engines ever constructed … the authors adoration of the Beyer Garratts is justified.

Large format, card covered, 212 pages and hundreds of images from period photographs. These images alone make the book special.

Western Tasmania and pioneering railway activity – as good as anywhere.

$65.00

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Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Dan Sprod

Published by the tremendous Blubber Head Press of Hobart and signed by the publisher Dan Sprod at the front

The quality of the book is best bar none and the condition near fine. Octavo, 292 pages, nicely illustrate, some in colour, end paper maps an, a most unusual printed thick glassine dust cover, often chipped but here completely undamaged.

The author was taken aback by the contents of fresh papers that surfaced from the descendants of Kennedy – and along with records held in Northern Ireland and the journals and papers at the Royal Geographical Society London the rich content of this book has been crafted.

Edmund Besley Court Kennedy (1818-1848) was chosen by Mitchell as his second for the 1846 expedition into southern and central Queensland. He was given command of a further expedition the nest year to trace Mitchell’s “Victoria River” to an expected mouth in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This turned out not to be true, Kennedy proving that that the Victoria was in fact the Barcoo, the upper waters of Cooper Creek … and in doing so discovered the valuable Channel Country. He then went on to track the Werrego River and in a further expedition from Rockingham Bay in 1848, setting its sights on the very tip of the Cape York Peninsula, he was killed by aboriginals.

Three folding maps near rear.

Essential and Fine Kennedy

$80.00

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T.E. Lawrence by his friends – Edited A.W.Lawrence 1938

“I deem him one of the greatest beings alive in our time. I do not see his like elsewhere. I fear whatever our need we shall never see his like again” – Churchill.

An important book in the Lawrence cannon. Published in January1938 a fourth impression, seven months after the first. Large thick octavo, 595 pages, with illustrations. No jacket (scarce) but a pretty clean and solid copy.

Contributors include numerous historical figures – Churchill, Allenby, Bernard Shaw, Kennington, Robert Graves, E.M. Forster, Ronald Storrs.

We also very much like … at the front “Dates in the life of T.E. Lawrence” the Chapter by Jonathan Cape – his Publisher and near the back “Books at Clouds Hill” a complete descriptive list and following that ”Gramophone Records at Clouds Hill”.

Voyager has fantasised about getting a copy of all the Clouds Hill books – unfortunately a number e.g. the early Morris books are out of Voyager’s pocket size.

Lawrence by his special Friends few could compete.

$90.00

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Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

Tasmanian Classic – A Hundred Years of Yachting – Webster and Norman – First Edition 1936

A History of Railways and Tramways on Tasmania’s West Coast – Lou Rae

Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Dan Sprod

T.E. Lawrence by his friends – Edited A.W.Lawrence 1938

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