Tasmania

Lachlan Macquarie – His Life, Adventures and Times – Ellis – First Edition 1947

The definitive work on Australia’s early Scottish Governor. The man that brought civilisation to the country from paved streets to the arts – also pushed harder for inland exploration and a greater understanding of the vast outback.

First edition 1947, quarto, 697 pages, differing end paper maps and eight full page colour plates. Dust jacket a bit tired but scarce and has protected the boards well, flecking to page edges and some age near the ends, otherwise bright and clean internally. Previous ownership name and stamp at front. A pretty good copy priced accordingly. A heavy book which mat require a tad more postage dependent on buyer location.

The author Malcolm Henry Ellis (1890-1969) … Queensland born journalist and historian. An avid ant-communist … he dislike Manning Clark and his historical work believing Clark inclined to leftist’s views in his writing and inclined to via away from historical fact when it suited his point of view.

Lengthy but written in an easily read style, we can see why this has become the go to text on Macquarie. The format is set out as if five separate books covering distinctive periods in his life … the titles of which give little away as to content Needless to say we cover his early years as a dashing lieutenant, time in India, his loves, Egypt and to Australia and his early successes … a period that would stretch from 1810 to 1821. He pioneered the development of commerce, inland exploration and urban development. A patron of the arts and literature.

Macquarie much more than a flash Bank

$50.00

Updating cart…

Narrative of Some Passages in the History of Van Diemen’s Land, during the Last Three Years of Sir John Franklin’s Administration of its Government

A special facsimile of a very unusual book. The original only issued privately “Not Published” and each of those few issued were annotated by Franklin himself giving some further control we expect over their authenticity.

A work essentially about the long and vigorous dispute Franklin had towards the end of his time in Tasmania with his Colonial Secretary, John Montagu.

A young doctor named Coverdale had been dismissed for negligence (a man had died) … Montagu supported this action. Franklin found out further information that suggested Coverdale had been hard done by and re-instated him. Monatagu was not happy, and the way he expressed his feelings verbally and in writing and his later in-actions made his relationship with Franklin unworkable. Lady Jane Franklin was dragged into it … not something that happened lightly in those days.

Montagu was dismissed back to England. However, in England Montagu pleaded his case very well and gained the support of Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, who essentially reprimanded Franklin who was soon to see his tenure in Tasmania over.

This personal compilation of evidence by Franklin was completed just as he was off on his Arctic expedition from which he never returned.

There is a movie in this episode alone.

This facsimile produced from the copy given by Sir John Franklin to R.I. Murchison. Presumably Roderick Impey Murchison author of Siluria and then President of the Royal Geographical Society. Franklin would have been very close to Murchison at the time due to the Arctic plans.

Published by Platypus Publications, Hobart in 1967. Octavo, 157 pages, original cloth covered boards (there was no dust jacket). Limited to 750 copies this one numbered 489. A very good copy.

Sir John Franklin puts his case re Montagu.

$30.00

Updating cart…

Map of Van Diemen’s Land or Tasmania – A.K. Johnston FRGS – 1844

A large scale quality map engraved by W & A.K. Johnston and published in Edinburgh in 1844.

The cartographer was Alexander Keith Johnston (1804-1871) and it was published in the National Atlas of Historical, Commercial and Political Geography both by the cartographer and his bother William in Edinburgh and by Robert Weir and James Lumsden in Glasgow. Alexander Johnston had been apprenticed to James Kirwood and the great William Home Lizars. His brother, later knighted, became the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

Large scale with central fold the printed area 57cm by 47cm. Thick paper and very good condition with strong pastel colouring. The whole of map image is difficult to photograph due to its size so we have scanned various sections on our A3 machine so you can see the extent of the detail and the quality of the map.

An interesting historical map. The odd historical note is added such as the discovery of Adventure Bay by Furneaux in 1773 and Cook’s anchorage there in 1777; Baudin’s discovery of Oyster Bay in 1802 etc.

A summary note states “Van Diemen’s Land was discovered by Tasman in 1642 & is hence sometimes called Tasmania, it received its present name in honour of Anthony Vandiemen, Gov General of the Dutch E. indies. It was visited by Cook & Furneaux 1773-7 & was found to be an island by the discovery of the Bass’ Strait, 1798, in 1804 it was formally taken possession of in the name of Britain; and the site HOBART TOWN fixed on for the Capital. Emigration from England began in 1821, when the V.D. Land Bank was established, in 1825 it was declared independant (sic) of N.S. Wales & the chief authority vested in a Lieut. Governor & Council.”

Tooley reference 780 and Tooley maps of Tasmania 315, National Collection 22985553

Price $340.00 unframed.

One of the best maps of the 1840’s a full of interesting detail. Very good condition and would frame to make a significant statement.

$340.00

Updating cart…

Whalers of the Midnight Sun – Alan Villiers [A Fiction Based on His Experiences] – 1964

Maritime hero Alan Villiers brings his undoubted experience to this adventure book aimed at young boys.

A new edition and first of its type, Angus and Robertson 1964. Octavo, 248 pages with ten full pages illustration from woodcuts by Charles Pont. A little aging to page edges and gift inscription back of half title, nice bright jacket, all up a pretty good copy.

Endpaper maps of the voyage from Hobart, Tasmania down to Macquarie Island; the Balleny Islands; the Ross Sea; Grahams Island before heading north to Montevideo.

A Norwegian expedition picks up some extra crew at Hobart, a motely band of youths and a stow away, little Alfie, who appears at Macquarie Island. Adventure ensues.

Alan Villiers, a yarn about Whaling, from personal experience.

$30.00

Updating cart…

A Solomons Sojourn: J.E. Philp’s Log of the Makira 1912-1913

A limited edition of 500 available copies published in 1978 by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association and one of their best efforts.

Octavo, 208 pages nicely illustrated from period photographs and with useful maps of the region. A very good copy.

John Ernest Philp was a Tasmanian shipping clerk. Likely seeking greater adventure he served for two year on the Makira as engineer, mate and then captain of the vessel in and around the Solomons. His log reproduced here is an important contribution to the somewhat scant detail available regrading activities during the pre WWI colonial era. His crew drawn from native stock were special to him and his warmth comes through in his writing. Tragedies such as murder and cannibalism arise and are recorded with precision.

Nicely edited by Richard Herr and Anne Rood and a helping hand by Dan Sprod, of course, to get it through the Press

Detailed account of a trading ketch in the Solomons when it was pretty lively.

$40.00

Updating cart…

A Narrative of a Voyage to New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land by Amaso Delano

Published by the Cat & Fiddle Press, Hobart, Tasmania in 1973. One of 500 copies and a fine example of a special work.

Octavo, with dust jacket, unpaginated but complete.

A facsimile extract from a Narrative of Voyages and Travels in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres Comprising Three Voyages Round the World Together with a Voyage of Survey and Discovery in the Pacific Ocean and Oriental Lands.

Set out in two parts.

Part One: Remarks upon a voyage to the South Sea by way of the Cape of Good Hope – King Island – Straits between New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land – Settlements on New Holland and van Diemen’s Land … and,

Part Two: Transactions at New Holland, Van Diemen’s Land, and Bass’s Strait – Letter to Philip Gedney (sic) King, Governor General of New South Wales – remarkable Accident of the Pilgrim’s boat being sunk – Departure from Bass’s Strait – Description of the Snares – Bounty Islands – Passage across the south Pacific Ocean – Rendezvous with the ship Perseverance.

Amas Delano – a rare account brought to life by the Cat & Fiddle.

$50.00

Updating cart…

Lachlan Macquarie – His Life, Adventures and Times – Ellis – First Edition 1947

Narrative of Some Passages in the History of Van Diemen’s Land, during the Last Three Years of Sir John Franklin’s Administration of its Government

Map of Van Diemen’s Land or Tasmania – A.K. Johnston FRGS – 1844

Whalers of the Midnight Sun – Alan Villiers [A Fiction Based on His Experiences] – 1964

A Solomons Sojourn: J.E. Philp’s Log of the Makira 1912-1913

A Narrative of a Voyage to New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land by Amaso Delano

Product Categories