Non-fiction

De Re Metallica – Georgius Agricola – the Hoover Translation.

This is the second printing of the famous Hoover translation of the equally famous 16th Century monumental publication by Georgius Agricola on all things then known in mining, metallurgy, geology etc. Published by Dover, New York in 1950.

Longer title … De re Metallica translated from the first Latin edition of 1556 with biographical introduction, annotations and appendices upon the development of mining methods, metallurgical processes, geology, mineralogy & mining law from the earliest times to the 16th century by Herbert Clark Hoover and Lou Henry Hoover.

This edition, large royal octavo blue cloth covered boards, 638 pages after xxxi preliminaries, illustrated throughout from the images of the original wood engravings, simply superb. Dust jacket closed tear at top front otherwise pretty good, a very good copy overall. Quite a heavy book which will require and Overseas postage supplement.

The series of books within the book (an early style) I Arguments against the art of mining II The miner and the mining of veins III Veins and stringers and seams in rocks IV The method of delimiting veins and the functions of the mining officials V The digging of ore and the Surveyor’s art VI The miner’s tools and machines VII The assaying of ore VIII Rules for the work of roasting, crushing, and washing the ore IX Methods of smelting ores X the work of separating silver from gold, and lead from gold and silver XI Separating silver from copper XII rules for manufacturing salt, soda, alum, vitriol, sulphur, bitumen, and glass … Agricola’s works – Ancient authors on mineralogy, mining, metallurgy- Nomenclature to be adopted for weights and measures etc.

There is so much to admire about this book … the date of the foundation work, its breadth and quality, the learning from the engravings. Strangely maybe we particularly like the section on pumps in mines – essential equipment for water bound mines and the ingenuity pre powered machines is very interesting. Regarding the translation – what a job done by Hoover(s). The difficulty must have been very challenging – for example Agricola struggled to find Latin equivalents for many mining terms so had to contrive them from everyday Latin words – Hoover then had to decipher these once and only Latin words – unsurprising that his hair was depleted.

De Re Metallica – The Foundation Work for all Mining and related – the readable version

$140.00

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United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

Published by the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington VA.

Largish softcover, 70 pages. A manual on how to do things in the colder climates. Interspersed with historical information which provides perspective and readability.

Starts with a section on the first US expedition sealers and then the industrious Nathaniel Palmer in the 47 foot sloop Hero.

Usual chapters on preparations, safety, health, travel to and from etc. More interesting chapters on Conservation, the Stations and Vessels, Handling Cores etc Sanctuaries …

Very interesting section detailing the Historic Monuments – 60 in all and a summary of the Treaty which we should all understand before the day of reckoning – not too far away.

Is there a Polar Explorer /Historian in you – be prepared and informed!

$40.00

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Report on Iron Ore Deposits – Yampi Sound (Western Australia) – A Montgomery -1920

Original report of the Department of Mines of Western Australia dated 1920. Authored by A Montgomery State Mining Engineer.

Yampi Sound is in North Western Australia and the ore bodies investigated at Cockatoo Island and Koolan Island are not only impressive in terms of scale but in terms of grade (65% straight out the ground). Koolan was been and continues to be exploited, currently successfully by Mt Gibson Mines. Cockatoo is underway yet again but the path looks a little treacherous for the incumbent.

32 pages octavo, in thick card covers, Annotated at front as a gift from Alfred Jones, Queensland Minister for Mines in September 1921 to Jack Reid mining identity.

A super report and despite being ex library (cancelled stamp at front) is scarce and near impossible to come by – why do they let these things go. The charts / diagrams on separate loose sheet in the wallet at the back are of good quality and include a facsimile of the Admiralty Chart of the broader locale; A map from Campbell’s Report of 1908; Map of Koolan Island; Longitudinal and Cross Sections of the main bed at Cockatoo Island and Koolan Island Main Lode.

Not sure, but one can’t help thinking that the information gleamed from these reports which started with pencil and paper gets to the point quickly and more economically than today’s plethora of multiple dimensional graphic and seismic analysis … and the accommodation has definitely gone upmarket – at least at Cockatoo!

Yumpi sound almost all iron ore – still going.

$120.00

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Kauri Gum Hair Pieces – Late 19thC early 20thC

Rare and unusual outside museums. See example only at the Kauri Museum, Metakohe, New Zealand.

The Kauri Pine associated with New Zealand and Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. The trees were harvested in North Island New Zealand for boat building and along with that its unusual gum was collected. At one time Kauri gum was Aukland’s biggest export. Over harvesting almost killed them off and now they are protected.

One of the oddest uses was the making of blonde simulated hair. This was dome by placing a piece of gum onto a heated plate. After a few second it was slowly lifted off. Fine strands formed as the gum was taken away. While still warm this could be arranged or plaited into this mock hair style. If become fragile another reason why examples are hard to come across.

Several groups in a shed made display cabinet approximately 44cm wide.

A postage supplement may be required dependent of any buyers location … don’t be shy ask us to quote best rates.

One of the most unusual curiosities we have ever sold – Kauri Gum Hair

$340.00

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The Forbidden erotica of Thomas Rowlandson 1756-1827.

With and introduction and text by Kurt von Meier.

First edition published by the Hogarth Guild, California [of all places] in 1970. Quarto, 187 pages illustrated throughout in colour from the exquisite colour risque engravings from the Master.

Thomas Rowlandson (13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. Prolific artist and printmaker; like others of his era, such as James Gillray, his caricatures are often rather bawdy. And there was also highly explicit erotica for his private clientele; never published publicly and now only found in “special” collections.

Rowlandson and his take on the naught Georgian and they were … surprise your friends …

$160.00

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The Tasmanian Tiger in Pictures – Dr Eric Guiler

A scarce item by the unchallengeable Thylacine expert Dr Eric Guiller.

Published in 1993. Soft wrapper, landscape, 28 pages with numerous illustrations from old photographs and contemporary photographs from the authors expeditions and field studies – he followed the Thylacine for over 40 years. Also, maps showing sightings and “unfortunately” earlier killings, sketches of Tiger tracks identified by Guiler etc.

Very good if not better condition.

Guiler about and searching for the Thylacine – convincing.

$80.00

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De Re Metallica – Georgius Agricola – the Hoover Translation.

United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

Report on Iron Ore Deposits – Yampi Sound (Western Australia) – A Montgomery -1920

Kauri Gum Hair Pieces – Late 19thC early 20thC

The Forbidden erotica of Thomas Rowlandson 1756-1827.

The Tasmanian Tiger in Pictures – Dr Eric Guiler

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