Tasmania

Fossil Tree Fern “Osmundacaulis pruchnikki” – Lune River Tasmania – Rare and unusual Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 Million years old.

A significant piece in terms of size and quality of petrified tree fern “Osmundacaulis pruchnikki” from the Lune River area deep in the southern reaches of Tasmania.

The dating of this location to the middle of the early Jurassic Period (182 Ma) was by isotopic measurements on zircons found in the volcanic sandstone hosting the fossils (Bromfield et al 2007). Also refer the excellent recently updated guide by P. Manchester.

A substantial example weighing 362gm length circa 11cm – by 5cm by 5cm. The extremity is cleaved in the centre of the oval plant core and the core can be seen clearly on top and running down the side.

This region is the area of the world where these plants developed. Twelve tree paratypes (arborescent) ferns and one bracken-like (rhizomatous) fern have been studied in the region. All of the tree ferns belong to the genus Osmundacaulis. This paratype exhbits numerous clear and tight trachioles

The species evolved in this region, the Australian portion of Pangea, which was on the cusp of breaking up circa 200 million years ago. Gradually osmundacaaulis have spread elsewhere, but are limited in the Northern Hemisphere; they appear in North West USA .. whilst examples were only discovered in Eurasia in the year 2000 in northern China.

Significant fossil tree fern from Jurassic Tasmania.

$290.00

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Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

Published in 1966 when pigs were not as full on the meat rich Australian dinner table – now we like a bit of crackling and as many chooks as we can eat.

Octavo, 171 pages, Lots of images from photographs, diagrams of various constructions, statistics etc.

Obviously mass animal husbandry practices have moved on (not sure in which direction) since the 1960’s. However, if your thinking about raising a few oinkers this is a good book to start with.

It was written at a time when first time hobby farmer types actually made things rather than just going to the wholesaler and buy absolutely everything or where it cannot be bought get the man in.

Also, we like the careful simplicity without the mention of organics or welfare – it was a time when animals were er looked after like the family.

So a small investment if you are in say the Huon Valley or Southern Highland of NSW or the Queensland tablelands – get to it!

For all those pig lover out there

$25.00

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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.

$250.00

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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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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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Tasmanian – Sea Wolves and Bandits – L. Norman – Scarce First edition 1946

Maybe out favourite Tasmanian book. Published by the author printed by Walch, Hobart in 1946.

Large octavo, 208 pages heavily illustrated with images from early photographs across a broad subject base … many maritime, early building of note and key identities and groups, folding frontispiece of the Knight designed floating bridge. A very nice copy.

Starts with a “Chronology Statement of Curious and Interesting Facts” which makes for good introductory reading. Includes chapters on .. Privateering; Military Camps; First Roads; Duelling in VDL; Railways; the Gay 90’s; Bicycling: Sealers and Wreckers; Smuggling and Piracy; Early Banditry; Brigands of the Twenties; First Hobart Town Whaler … and much more

Tasmanian Maritime History Treasure

$90.00

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Fossil Tree Fern “Osmundacaulis pruchnikki” – Lune River Tasmania – Rare and unusual Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 Million years old.

Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

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

Errol Flynn – The Tasmanian Story – Don Norman

Tasmanian – Sea Wolves and Bandits – L. Norman – Scarce First edition 1946

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