Convicts, transporation etc

The Sarah Island Conspiracies – R. I. Davey

A super Tasmanian book by Richard Innes Davey. This is the hardback edition, most available are the earlier soft cover.

Published by The Round Earth Company, Tasmania. This the Second Revised Edition 2007.

Small quarto, 210 pages nicely illustrated and in fine condition with a fine dust jacket.

Sarah Island behind the Gates of Hell in Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania was home to the harshest penal establishment imaginable.

This well crafted book is based on the account of twelve Voyages made by a one G.K. (his name is not known) the Sarah Island between 1822-1833. G. K. was a clerk a minor bureaucrat and supposedly as shadowy figure. He observes the men banished to this desolate place and is gradually drawn into their world.

True life, mystery and intrigue at Sarah’s Island

A word about the author … Richard Innes Davey (1938-2013) what a character … he spent seven years as a Dominican monk before exploding a laboratory in Adelaide, met his wife Kathleen while recuperating. Much travel overseas and strange and artistic goings on followed. back in Australia (Perth) he expanded his artistic bent … sculpting, theatre directing and playwright, outback storytelling, remote communities etc. Moving to Tasmania with his own Round Earth Company he became the man of knowledge regarding Sarah Island. If you have been to Strahan you will be aware of his play “The Ship that Never Was”, our longest running play (Australia’s Mousetrap).

$40.00

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Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

An original photograph by B (Benjamin) Sheppard (1902-1987). Size 21 x 16cm. Overall in good condition. Sheppard was most active in the 1950’s and the photograph likely cones from that period. The rear of the photograph carries B Sheppard’s stamp, that of the Agent General for Tasmania and a manuscript note identifying the location … a rather obvious one to those that love and live in the Apple Isle.

You can still see the solid Spiky Bridge built by Convict labour in 1843. The road has been moved onto a more modern and rather boring structure. The spikiness is thought to be an invention to stop cattle falling into the water … maybe. If you go there the remain of the Governor’s cottage can be seen on the hill nearby.

A Tasmanian landmark … Spiky Bridge a strange structure built by convicts

$50.00

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Michael Howe: The Last and Worst of the Bush rangers of Van Diemen’s Land

A nice facsimile production by The Folio Society, London, published in 1977. With useful introduction by Ian Atkins

Three copies of the original book are known to exist, one in the Bodleian (from which this facsimile is produced), one in the British Museum and the other in the National Collection, Canberra from which was bought from Maggs in 1946 having been purchased by them at Sotheby’s.

This original account was the first book of general literature published in Australia, in Hobart Town, in December 1818.

Nostalgic and interesting in many ways

$25.00

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Tasmanian Photographer ( Beattie) – Margaret Tassell and David Wood – 1981

Published by Macmillan in Australia. Quarto, 155 pages heavily illustrated, as you would expect. Good dust jacket and generally a very good copy.

The first name that springs to mind when it turns to photography in Tasmania.

A well put together collection by Tassell and Wood published in 1981. Many examples of his better work categorised into – Historic; Industrial and Scenic, and Norfolk Island for a broader interest in that association. Some of the “originals” clearly showing their age but the subject matter and technique still very worthy.

Beattie Photographic Imagery – Defining Tasmania

$60.00

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Account of a Duel between William Bland and Robert Case – George Mackaness – No 41 of 100 Limited and Signed.

George Mackaness’s limited monograph published by the author in Sydney, 1942. Signed boldly by Mackaness and numbered 41 of 100 copies only.

Mackaness referencing Bland’s own publication on the matter, the title continuing … and the circumstances that led thereto, drawn up for posterity by Dr William Bland. With a Report of the Trial, Rex v Bland, Randall and Fulton, before the Recorder of Bombay, 14th and 17th April 1813 (Extracted from the Bombay Courier) and a Memoir of Dr William Bland.

Small quarto, 40 pages with illustrations, stiff wrappers in normal Mackaness style, rubbed with some transfer on inside of covers, internally very good.

Bland one of the most interesting convict identities was sentenced to seven years transportation to Botany Bay for defending his honour and successfully killing Robert Case during a dual at Bombay. The circumstances leading up to the dual are lengthy and a most interesting account of all the carry on that ensues between gentlemen of the time to protect their honour.

In Sydney it was not long before Bland was pardoned and put his medical training to use. He rose to be an important member of the Colony … but not without a wayward period initially were his penchant for criticising the establishment saw him back in jail.

Dr Bland an interesting early identity and a good shot!

$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.

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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The Sarah Island Conspiracies – R. I. Davey

Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

Michael Howe: The Last and Worst of the Bush rangers of Van Diemen’s Land

Tasmanian Photographer ( Beattie) – Margaret Tassell and David Wood – 1981

Account of a Duel between William Bland and Robert Case – George Mackaness – No 41 of 100 Limited and Signed.

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.

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