Non-fiction

Jardine Parrot – By Fawcett for Greene – 1884

Original wood cut hand finished engraving of the Jardine’s Parrot from “Parrots in Captivity”, published in London 1884.

This striking parrot was found and taken back to Scotland by the son of the famous naturalist, illustrator Sir William Jardine. The father categorised it hence it became named after his son … or after him as well really.

Greene’s delightful work comprising wood-engraved plates printed by Benjamin Fawcett after drawings by A.F. Lydon. The prints are hand finished with delicate highlighting in gum arabic to accentuate the bright colouring.

Benjamin Fawcett was one of the great colour printers of the 19th century. He pioneered a system of wood block engraving from multiple blocks that resulted in vivid finely coloured works. Fawcett had an association of some 50 years with Francis Orpen Morris to produce many beautiful works on birds. The engravings are the finest illustrations of parrots from the period.

Price unframed $120.00

$120.00

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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

A Folio Society production from 1970. Their usual lavish production works well in this case – we are not always a fan.

Edward Fitzgerald had a couple of goes at translating The Rubaiyat – this is his first and best we think.

Tall octavo, unpaginated, 75 verses after introductions and a page of helpful notes at the end. Nicely, artistically, illustrated by Virgil Burnett. Decorative end paper, gilt and silvered ornate pattern over red cloth covered boards, gold paper covered custom slipcase.

A nice and attractive Rubaiyat that would make a super gift.

$40.00

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Martin Cash [Tasmanian Bushranger] – Autobiography

First published in 1870 by Walch, Hobart and here we have a seventh edition 1961 by the same publisher – itself maybe an Australian record – not sure.

Octavo, small format pictorial soft cover, 174 pages the odd useful illustration added from original period photographs.

The full title – Martin cash – the Bushranger of Van Diemen’s Land 1843-4 – A Personal Narrative of his Exploits in the Bush and His Experiences at Port Arthur and Norfolk Island.

Cash had an interesting life and despite his Bushranger activity – quietly admired.

$20.00

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The Last Ladies – Female Convicts on the Duchess of Northumberland, 1853 – Christine Woods

Scarce self published in 2004.

Octavo, perfect bound, 285 pages, fine condition.

Christine Woods’s convict great great great grandfather had arrived had arrived on the same ship ten years earlier. This sparked and interest in the ship and when she found out that it was the last ship to bring convict women to Hobart, three months before it all ceased, she was hooked on the history of the women onboard.

After year of intermittent research she finished this work .. well almost she admits … there are always those eluding facts. Notwithstanding that admission it’s a super piece on convict history and one that probably impacts on many Tasmanian families today.

Woods gets to the bottom of the ship of The Last Ladies..

$50.00

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Ordered to the Island – Irish Convicts & Van Diemen’s Land- John Williams

Published by Crossing Press, Sydney in 1994, effectively self published. Scarce and fine condition.

Octavo size, card covers, 226 pages, some illustrations, nicely composed work.

John William completed a Doctorate Thesis at the University of Tasmania in the early 1970’s largely around this broad subject. This book is the condensation and improved presentation of the facts and conclusions therein.

Could there be a better overall reference to provide perspective regarding the Irish Convict in Tasmania – doubt it.

The facts about the Irish taken away to far away .

$70.00

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A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

Scarce self published, Hobart 2001.

Soft cover, perfect bound, octavo size, 302 pages, illustrated from period photographs, fine condition.

Jim Patterson was born in 1992 in Sydney .. he moved around Australia, married had jobs of sheep stations, woolscour sorter, driver … WWII came long and afterwards in the 1950’s was awarded a War Service Land Settlement block on King Island. This enthralling account is all about the trials and tribulations associated with that life. Politic gets in the way – well it does.

This is a life in a book and the chapters headings give a clue … such as “they burnt the bloody pub down” and “disaster after disaster” … “a boat with one oar” .. the epilogue is more uplifting and it has a nice poem. Don’t be put off – this is a unique account and Jim comes out with a positive conclusion.

King Islands Post War Settler tells the Truth .

$60.00

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Jardine Parrot – By Fawcett for Greene – 1884

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

Martin Cash [Tasmanian Bushranger] – Autobiography

The Last Ladies – Female Convicts on the Duchess of Northumberland, 1853 – Christine Woods

Ordered to the Island – Irish Convicts & Van Diemen’s Land- John Williams

A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

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