Law

The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

Extremely scarce, despite being introduced as a “New Edition” with the circumstances of Each Fraud, and the Names of the Parties injured.

The lengthy title continues major Semple .. alias Major Harrold, Major Maxwell, Major Grant, Major Cunningham, Major Winter etc. With and account of his Devices at lord Salisbury’s, Sir Thomas Dundass’s, and Mr Pitt’s. Also the various Inventions by which he obtained Goods of Tradesmen. The Whole supported by indisputable Authority, with the Names of the Persons who were the Objects of his Depredations. Likewise … and Account of his Trial Before Mt Justice Gould and the Recorder at the Old Bailey on Saturday September 2 for defrauding Mr John Lycett, Coach-maker, in Whitechapel, of a Post-chaise, value fifty Guineas, of which he was Convicted.

Published by G. Kearsley, Fleet Street and sold by Bookseller, 1786. Octavo 90 pages after half title, frontispiece with engraving by Barlow of Semple in the dock, full title, book advertisements 2 pages, dedication from Compiler 1 page, blank 1 page, list of content 5 pages and Errata 1 page.

Bound in later quarter mottled polished leather with lavish marbled paper covered boards. Carries previous distinguished ownership bookplates of Nanyce Kent Perry and before that Dr George Mackaness. This being Ferguson No 18 and a manuscript note on the front pastedown “Ferguson Bibliography cites only the copy in Ferguson Collections.

Some evidence of professional repair to the margin on the frontispiece and some aging occasionally in the text but really a very good copy of a desirable early Ferguson book that cannot be found elsewhere.

Least to say the Major Semple was a bit of a rogue and a classy one at that. His final comeuppance rested on the fact the it was found that he intended to steal the coach … his defence was that it was a debt that he couldn’t pay … he lost and was sentenced to be taken to Botany Bay. He slipped ship at Rio!

Priceless Semple … off to Botany Bay in 1786 … or maybe not!

$390.00

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From the Middle Temple to the South Seas – Alexander – First Edition 1927

A most unusual book, first edition published by Murray, London in 1927. Large octavo, 287 pages in pretty good condition just some ageing to page edges

The author Gilchrist Alexander was a Scottish Barrister who practiced out of the Middle Temple London. After 20 years of perhaps “not enough briefs” he accepted the role as the first Chief police Magistrate in Fiji.

The first chapter is about his conventional career. In Fiji activity takes on a more interesting shape with absconding defendants, piracy, blackbirding and headhunters. The narrative interspersed with observations mainly in Fiji but also the New Hebrides. Nicely illustrated with 25 photographic images.

Unusual account of a legal mind in Fiji

$40.00

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New Guinea, Annual Report – 1890 – (Includes exploration of the Fly River, Daumori Regions and Misima Island with Maps and Extensive Analysis of Language and Dialect)

The nicely bound edition of the Annual Report on British New Guinea, from July 1889, to 30th June 1890, with appendices. A very early and comprehensive report.

Over approximately 140 pages, and with several accompanying fold-out maps, this annual report examines the year from a number of perspectives including; legislation re ordinances passed and their detail; administration of justice, including courts constituted and remarks on some cases dealt with by the Central Court; administrative visits of inspection, including the ascent of the Fly River, visit to Island of Daumori and a visit to Misima and Tagula; government property, including purchases and acquisitions; establishments, including officers and their salaries; trade, exports, shipping and postal; mission work; land, including a specific European settlement strategy; finance, revenue, expenditure and balance to credit of Protectorate; native dialects, including, amongst many others, Kiwai and Boigu, Misima, Tagula, Sariba and Awaiama, and; scientific results including botanical, zoological, ornithological and coleopterae.

This plethora of vital contemporary information is accompanied by; a large fold-out sketch map of Cloudy Bay; a large fold-out sketch map of Kiwai and adjoining islands of the Fly River; a large fold-out detailed map of the Fly River; a large fold-out rough sketch of 200 miles of the western portion of British New Guinea, including rivers, compiled from surveys and exploration by the Government of British New Guinea, 14th February to 17th March, 1890; a very large fold-out rough sketch plan of St. Joseph District, British New Guinea, from a map by Bishop Verjus, Admiralty charts and observations in the district, and; a large fold-out rough sketch plan of Hall Sound & Yule Island, showing mouths of St. Joseph and Bioto Rivers.

An incredibly in depth examination of New Guinea in 1890.

$340.00

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Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

Report (accompanied by a massive map) by the Minister of State for Defence on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possessions, published by the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1922.

Contains a report examining the position in the Pacific at the commencement of WWI, and the dispatch of the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force. The report examines, the movement and nature of both the German and Australian fleets around New Guinea, from the outbreak of war on 4th August, 1914. The report includes a description of the territory, the northwest Pacific Expedition, laws in force in the territory and the administration of justice, administration of native affairs, a brief examination of tropical medicine, territory revenues and tropical agriculture including currency and coinage, costs of administration and policy in regard to German nationals.

Nicely bound, by a later collector with gilt title to front spine.

The map, with dimensions of about 150x150cm (see accompanying photograph) is in colour and comprising the New Guinea mainland, New Britain and surrounding islands and the tip of Cape York. Very detailed. It represents the pre-war position and although undated likely comes from circa 1910. It is an exceptional map of the period the value of which more than underpins this item

$190.00

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“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

This detailed inquiry considers the facts of the ‘Jason‘ case.

Capt. John William Coath, master of the Jason was convicted of kidnapping nine men a short distance from the island of Api and removing them to Maryborough, Queensland, taking them by force out of a canoe, which was afterword hauled aboard the boat and destroyed.

The inquiry results from a petition put forward by 390 men for the remission of Capt. Coath’s sentence, five years imprisonment in Brisbane Gaol. The petition consists of correspondence and testimony under the Oath’s Act 1867 from crewmen and from two of the alleged kidnapping victims.

$60.00

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The Trial of Mary Dugan – William Almon Wolff – 1928 First Edition

At trial Mary Dugan is done for .. but a twist and turn provides an uncertain and baffling mystery. Superb adaptation of the 1920’s play

1928 First Edition in novel form – superb condition.

$50.00

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The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

From the Middle Temple to the South Seas – Alexander – First Edition 1927

New Guinea, Annual Report – 1890 – (Includes exploration of the Fly River, Daumori Regions and Misima Island with Maps and Extensive Analysis of Language and Dialect)

Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

The Trial of Mary Dugan – William Almon Wolff – 1928 First Edition

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