Non-fiction

Alvin Lustig Dust Jacket design for New Directions – 50 Postcard style Illustrations.

Voyager hero and favourite graphic designer Alvin Lustig got into bed with super New York publisher of high end literature, New Directions, to design unique dust jacket art for the likes of Tennessee William, Dylan Thomas, Ezra Pound etc.

This boxed set of fifty postcards is a retrospective of that work comprising some of the more unusual designs. Unfortunately the books are getting out of reach for all but the devoted cashed up collector. So why not get this selection as an introduction or reminder of this man’s talent.

Would make a super gift – and get over the – we don’t use postcards any more – they are a memento of normal life as it once was before the whole world spent their whole waking moments tapping away with two fingers on a iphone … uuhhggh.

Lustig beautifully presented and maybe a challenge for some.

$35.00

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Errol Flynn – The Tasmanian Story – Don Norman

Scarce, first and only edition of this ditty on Errol Flynn, the most dangerous man ever in tights. Born a stones throw from Voyager’s abode he is a Sandy Bay / Battery Point legend.

This work was promoted by Messrs Hurst and Metcalf who at the time of publication in 1981 were the owners of the Errol Flynn Theatre of Tasmanian History which was poised within the Masterpiece Fine Art Gallery in Sandy Bay.

Card covered, 57 pages plus list of Errol Flynn’s Motion Pictures – there were lots; and a dapper image of “In like” on the rear cover. Lots of images throughout – Flynn looked rather mischievous even at two year old. A number of his schools – we think he was asked to leave a couple.

Errol Flynn the best account of his Tasmanian upbringing

$40.00

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Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

A first edition of this full on voyage and travel account by the articulate James Prior. Published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co, London in 1819.

A lovely internal copy rebound in grey/green paper covered boards, as was typical of a primary binding of the true period, gilt on red leather title to spine. Octavo, 114 pages with special three fold map dated 1810 drawn by W M Cobb RN, also printed by Phillips. Another folding chart of the Harbour at Mozambique (note the different spelling) and a striking engraved view of the Town and Fort at Mozambique.

Well we have to be careful as this book is right in Voyager’s sweet spot. The narrative content is far fuller physically than the 114 pages suggest. First simply due to the format and the lines and words set per page, but also because Prior’s writing style is honed and full of interesting detail – no padding.

The long title gives you an idea of the coverage. Voyager’s favourite island, St Helena, is tackled well and one gets a great idea of the first impression on approach and the manner and detail of James Town and the various Plantation houses up “Ladder Hill” … “Ruperts Hill” etc.

Not in the title we also learn about the Comoro Islands … out from Mozambique and north west of Madagascar … this group of four ex volcanic islands probably the most beautiful place in the World. The Comoro islands was the primary reason behind the voyage as the King of Comoro had sought help against “predatory expeditions” of several thousand warriors from Madagascar. War was not the solution conferences were held – we can learn from that.

Good content on Rio and Brazil so don’t be confused by the lead in to the title …

Taking you back to the beginning and Prior has arrived at Cape Town where of all things he is off to the races … “the course is on Green Point, on the verge of the Bay: it was attended my multitudes, some in handsome vehicles … filled with females of every age, class and complexion. A dinner to the members concluded the meeting, followed of course by a ball … and the amusements of the week finished, on Saturday, with a private race, a cock-fight, the execution of several malefactors near the ground, and a dual between two gentlemen holding official situations, nearly fatal; so that we could not complain of want of variety”

We had to show you this even though it is not typical of the narrative – different times!

Interesting early 19thC Voyage from east Africa to Brazil

$390.00

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The Convict Probation System [Tasmania] – Ian Brand

Published Hobart by the Blubber Press I 1990. Large wide octavo, 284 pages, illustrated a particularly good fine copy.

Before 1839 convicts in Tasmania were systematically put into service in the hands of private individuals. Some had an even harder time than when incarcerated, others the opposite and were treated too leniently often leading to a return to crime.

In 1839 a new system of Probation was introduced where groups of convicts were progressively rehabilitated until released. It was an absolute failure with the “normal” population soon engulfed by past convicts who had not actually met the mark … society spiralled downwards on all fronts. The Governor was dismissed, and La Trobe came down from Melbourne as caretaker and reviewer.

This book contains his unexpurgated report to the British Parliament.

The author Ian Brand was a devoted student of the convict system and wrote many works on the subject.

Ill Planned Change in Convict Systems caused Mayhem

$80.00

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Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac 1886

The essential publication of the day … Pugh’s Almanac, Law Calendar, Coast Guide and Gazetteer and “Men of the Time” for 1886

536 pages followed by 94 pages of business advertisements to the rear and more at the front and the odd one inserted.

Carries the bookplate of Alan McKiness who was perhaps the greatest ever collector of all things Queensland on paper. Also, overlapped by Alan’s bookplate that of his father D.H. McInnes – an engraving of the Endeavour. Now protected in a sturdy red cloth covered solander case with label to spine. The almanac is in pretty good condition with a black rebind at an early date, Brisbane bookbinders ticket again partly obscured by Alan’s bookplate..

Always difficult to give justice to these incredible almanacs which contain so much information that to read from cover to cover would occupy the year. Essential information matted with trivia which we find illuminating. 8th June steamer “Victoria” chartered to take islanders home, left for Townsville with Government party under leadership of Lieut. Chester” – marks the end of blackbirding. On the 14th June Victoria sets off wit 405 illegally obtained islanders for the south Sea islands etc. 11th February – English cricketers left on the steamer Wentworth for Sydney- Reported that $10,000 has been offered by the Fenians for the Prince of Wales dead or alive. 3rd March England warn Russia on Afghanistan. 11th November – Massacre of Geographical Society Expedition on the Fly River. 23rd December – the New Guinea expedition reported to be massacred arrived at Cooktown in the “Benito” all well!

Large folding graphical chart of rainfall and wet days (67cm by 40cm).

Large folding map of Queensland (66cm by 56cm) showing the rainfall in 1884

Section on Statistics; Sailing Directions, colour fold out of signals in force, comprehensive and a good chapter on “Progress in the Colony”.

As you can imagine near 100 pages of period advertisements make good reading for those that are interested in the history of business in Queensland. Tow we would like to point out – John Lennon announcing the opening of his new Hotel in Queens Street … still going today and a full page add by John Petrie, obviously going quite well .. Queensland history buffs would understand the significance.

A good Almanac with map etc., nicely cased – 1886

$240.00

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Large Scale Copper Engraving of the Façade of Amsterdam Town Hall – Jacob van Campden – 1661

Original large folio copper engraving of the Amsterdam Town Hall. The western façade showing ground floor entrance and first, second and third floor windows divided into upper and lower sections. A fronton with a statue either end and in the middle Atlas carrying the world globe. The actual length of the building is 79 metres.

See National Library of Australia for an example reference 226808

Central fold – paper xxcm by xxcm. Apologies that it is too big to get a full image on our large scanner .. but almost. Sowing some age as you would expect but still a very worthy example and would make a superb architectural framed item .. if you are Dutch even better.

Represents plate E from Afbeelding van’t Stadt Huys van Amsterdam in darigh coopere Plaaten / geordineert door Jacob van Campden; en geteeckent door Jacob Vennekool. Tot Amsterdam: Bij Dancker Danckerets … 1661.

Price $120.00 unframed
One of a number of 17th century architectural engravings at Voyager.

$120.00

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Alvin Lustig Dust Jacket design for New Directions – 50 Postcard style Illustrations.

Errol Flynn – The Tasmanian Story – Don Norman

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

The Convict Probation System [Tasmania] – Ian Brand

Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac 1886

Large Scale Copper Engraving of the Façade of Amsterdam Town Hall – Jacob van Campden – 1661

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