Non-fiction

The Founding of Hobart – A Diary Recounting the Events on the Derwent 1803-1804 – Frank Bolt

The author of this fine book, Frank Bolt, was surprised that he could not find any book on the very early period of the settlement of Hobart. So he carried out his own research and effectively self published this work.

Large octavo, 320 pages, illustrated, with folding plan, printed to a high standard. A first edition 2004 and fine, like new, condition.

An unusual work in structure … Bolt explain his approach well in the lengthy Preface. Having assembled all of the exiting evidence his challenge was how to present it … landing on the idea of creating a faux diary of events on a nearly day by day basis. It work very well. After a further introductory “Prologue” the diary runs from page 38 through to page 279. Within this there are separate brief “cut-aways” regarding the “difference between the initial Risdon Settlement and the final Settlement at Sullivan’s Cove and “the Cargo of the Collin’s Expedition”.

Notes on Sources are kept until the end and are extensive and useful as well is a list of the Pioneers of Hobart Town. And, Meehan’s Plan of circa 1811.

Hobart the early days revisited

$50.00

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Erect-Crested Penguin – Lance Richdale – 1950

This is an offprint from the “The Emu” the then official organ of the Royal Australasian Ornithologist’s Union.

The point of this item is that since 1940 the population of this species of Penguin has been in decline and is now categorised as endangered. They nest on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands. Previously on the Auckland, Campbell etc Islands and the Otago Peninsula but no longer. At the time of writing the report Richdale was probably observing the last Otago nesters …

Typical offprint faded card covers, 18 pages with quite a few images from photographs of the beautifully crested penguins. Maybe there are some clues in here as to what will soon lead to further reductions in breeding.

Lance Richdale was a big individual in the bird world – he was a Fulbright Fellow at Cornell and a Nuffield Fellow in his field – later in life he spent time at the Zoological Society in London. Author of the Sexual Behavior of Penguins.

Erect-Crested doing it tough in the far reaches of the Southern Ocean.

$20.00

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Direct Vision Spectroscope [Produces Super Clear Spectra] – c1890-1910

A fine example of a direct vision spectroscope no makers mark but likely manufactured by John Browning of London. Browning was the top London maker of spectroscopes in the late 19th early 20th Century and, was the leader in spectroscope development.

Victorian or Edwardian in manufacture. Works very well and produces sublime spectra. Contains a train of five alternating crown and flint glass prisms in order to correct for chromatic aberration. Brass body unmarked and with a complete covering of the original gold lacquer. Plush lined case has some rubbing; the clasp still holds firm.

This design is also known as the “Rainband” spectroscope and was used by gentlemen scientists to detect the spectral bands that appear as water vapour builds prior to a shower of rain. This is the more sophisticated version with a knurled device for altering the slit width and a draw tube for fine focus. cap to protect the slit from dust is original and fits snugly.

Very good condition working spectroscope

$190.00

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A Cursory Sketch of the State of the Naval, Military and Civil Establishments, Legislative, Judicial, and Domestic Economy of This Kingdom, During the Fourteenth Century. – Bree John – Self Published London, 1791

Published in London in 1791 with a particular account of the campaign of King Edward the Third, in Normandy and France, in the years 1345 and 1346, to the taking of Calais: collected merely from the ancient manuscripts in the British Museum, and elsewhere. Volume I, [all that was published].

First Edition, printed for the author, and sold by J. Debrett (and others), 1791, quarto, pages xxxvi, 381, (30) – index and errata, pages 385 and 386 misnumbered 335 and 381.

Bound in delightful full antique tree calf, raised bands and gilt decoration to spine, gilt lettered leather labels. Contents bright and clean, binding tight and firm, a very good to better copy.

There are two sections concerning the Navy:

1) Of the General State of the Navy of England during the Fourteenth Century; and more particularly of the naval armament collected by King Edward the Third for his expedition against Normandy and France: and first of the appointment and succession of the Lord Admirals of England; and

2) Of the Size, Tonnage, and Construction of the Ships; their Complement of Men, Victualing, the Number of Officers, their Pay, and that of the Mariners and Soldiers, on board the Navy of England, during the Fourteenth Century.

A most interesting historical record in very good condition in a quality tree calf binding.

John Bree (c1734-c1796) was Rector of Rysholme in the County of Lincoln. He was a Oxford graduate – B.A. 1753, M.A. 1759 and a devout historian of the 14th Century. He must have spent years compiling the information required for this very interesting work, unmatched for its detail. His departing got in the way of any further volumes that may have been intended. Nevertheless, the book is complete and stands on its own.

$590.00

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Jardine’s Journal – Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York – First Facsimile 1994

Originally published by J.W. Buxton, Brisbane in 1867. Compiled from the Journals of the Brothers, and edited by Frederick Byerley, Engineer of Roads, Northern Division of Queensland.

This is the first and preferred Corkwood Press (Bundaberg) facsimile of 1994 of the near impossible to get 1867 Brisbane original. Very good condition … Manfred Cross’s copy. Octavo, 88 pages after preliminaries, frontispiece of the brothers as in the original, gilt titles over blue cloth covered boards.

Includes a facsimile of the map published with that original account.

Voyager Background Note

In 1863 it was decided by Governor Bowen that a settlement should be established at the tip of Cape York at Albany. He selected John Jardine a magistrate at Rockhampton for the task who in turn thought that his sons Frank (22) and Alexander (20) could make their way overland with a mob of cattle.

They put together a party and set off in May 1864. There were ten in all including six aborigines. They all convened at Carpentaria Downs the property of J.G. McDonald beyond here the country was basically unknown. It was not until October that they finally set off with a mob of 250 head and 42 horses. They were well armed.

They moved North West along the Einasleigh River and were followed by aborigines in war paint but were not attacked – at this point. The landscape softened from large granite boulders to flat sandy beds. They reached 120 miles and decided to rest a few days where the forage was good and the cattle and horses improved.

They moved on and crossed and later named the Byerley Creek. A fire demolished their camp and much of their supplies were lost. They made on to Staaten River (named by the Dutch during their early marine explorations) and then on to find the Mitchell River having been lost a number of times.

On 20th November 1864 the first fight with aborigines took place. A number of encounters followed and they decided to move on North. Eventually they found the Mitchell which was the site of their bloodiest encounter.

As they moved into December storms rolled in and the journey became difficult – they had to resort to killing their cattle as supplies ran out. They moved quickly noting good grazing near the Archer River.

On 11th January 1865 they reached the Batavia River where several of their horses died from eating poisonous plants.

They pushed on as hard as they could and sent a scouting party out on 30th January 1865 to find their destination estimated to be 25 miles distant but were unsuccessful. The terrain was difficult, steep hills and gullies crossed by narrow deep creeks overgrown by dense tropical vegetation. It was not until 1st March 1865 that the party heard the yelling of scouts sent out from the settlement to find them.

Their journal records that a camp was made at Vallack Point and “there the weary cattle and horses at last found rest, while their drivers were able to indulge in the luxuries of regular feeding and uninterrupted sleep”

$50.00

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Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

Fraser’s Gold Mine is south-west of Southern Cross in Western Australia. Gold was mined here from 1886, discovered by Hugh Fraser. It was the first large scale gold mine in the Eastern Goldfields region if not the colony. Fraser’s Gold Mining Company was floated in 1889, Hugh Fraser given half the shares. Things did not initially go well and further capital was required – Hugh Fraser refused the request and he had control. He was eventually persuaded but not without receiving concessions, security, seat on the Board etc – sound familiar. He died penniless seemingly.

The balance of the history is equally interesting but too long for here. The mining activities were eventually brought together in a “big pit” and was inactive in the St Barbara portfolio. May be the operation sold to Hanking and then on to another Chinese operator – not sure … any help received with thanks

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8cm by 8cm.

Good image of the historically important Fraser’s Gold Mine.

$80.00

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The Founding of Hobart – A Diary Recounting the Events on the Derwent 1803-1804 – Frank Bolt

Erect-Crested Penguin – Lance Richdale – 1950

Direct Vision Spectroscope [Produces Super Clear Spectra] – c1890-1910

A Cursory Sketch of the State of the Naval, Military and Civil Establishments, Legislative, Judicial, and Domestic Economy of This Kingdom, During the Fourteenth Century. – Bree John – Self Published London, 1791

Jardine’s Journal – Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York – First Facsimile 1994

Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

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