Mining/Geology

Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

Ion Idriess found this his hardest book to write yet it is another masterpiece of yarn and knowledge all revolving around the elusive diamond

Published by Angus and Robertson, a 1957 edition. Large octavo, 344 pages, decorative “woodcut style” illustrations at most chapter headings. A very good, clean copy.

Diamonds for men – Nice copy

$60.00

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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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Tasmania – Geology of the Dundas – Mt Lindsay and Mt Youngbuck Region. Geological Survey Bulletin 62 [Four Large Maps]

A.V. Brown, published by the Tasmanian Department of Mines in 1986.

Large octavo, soft covers. Perfect bound. A new condition. First Edition. Perfect bound, 222 pages. Illustrated with black and white photos, diagrams. Comes with a fine collection of four geological maps all printed on thick quality paper, coloured maps impressive and strongly coloured.

Colour map – Regional geology of the Dundas – Mt. Lindsay – Mt. Ramsay Area 90cm by 75cm.

Colour locality map showing area covered on Corinna and Zeehan 90cm x 75cm.

Black and white map 100cm x 60cm, Regional Geology of the Mt. Youngbuck – Magnet area by Brown 1984.

Black and white map 70cm x 60 cm Geololgical compilation of the Zeehan-Waratah area – Dundas Trough Brown 1984.

Everything nicely preserved in original clear wallet.

Superior Geological Report of this important mineral area in Western Tasmania

$80.00

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Beaconsfield Gold [Tasmania] – Janet Kerrison – First Edition 1963

Published a few time by the local community Rotarians. First edition 1963. Card covers, unpaginated but 45 pages, illustrated nicely from historic images. We have a copy of a later printing …

Set before the re-opening of the mine and the later terrible accident which culminated in maybe the greatest Australian mine survival story.

Starting with the gold rush in 1877 to the delightfully named Brandy Creek … by the 1890’s a substantial mine was in operation, with its enormous 180 foot chimney stack. The mining technology in place by the turn of the century was second to none.

As with many mines, reserves became depleted and the mine was wound down during WWI. Locals rumours abounded for years that there was a high grade parallel lode. So true that after this publication the mine was re-opened as mentioned above … and then again.

Mailing costs will be reduced on this item

Beaconsfield Gold – the back history and it’s significant – First printing

$25.00

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Report on Iron Ore Deposits – Yampi Sound (Western Australia) – A Montgomery -1920

Original report of the Department of Mines of Western Australia dated 1920. Authored by A Montgomery State Mining Engineer.

Yampi Sound is in North Western Australia and the ore bodies investigated at Cockatoo Island and Koolan Island are not only impressive in terms of scale but in terms of grade (65% straight out the ground). Koolan was been and continues to be exploited, currently successfully by Mt Gibson Mines. Cockatoo is underway yet again but the path looks a little treacherous for the incumbent.

32 pages octavo, in thick card covers, Annotated at front as a gift from Alfred Jones, Queensland Minister for Mines in September 1921 to Jack Reid mining identity.

A super report and despite being ex library (cancelled stamp at front) is scarce and near impossible to come by – why do they let these things go. The charts / diagrams on separate loose sheet in the wallet at the back are of good quality and include a facsimile of the Admiralty Chart of the broader locale; A map from Campbell’s Report of 1908; Map of Koolan Island; Longitudinal and Cross Sections of the main bed at Cockatoo Island and Koolan Island Main Lode.

Not sure, but one can’t help thinking that the information gleamed from these reports which started with pencil and paper gets to the point quickly and more economically than today’s plethora of multiple dimensional graphic and seismic analysis … and the accommodation has definitely gone upmarket – at least at Cockatoo!

Yumpi sound almost all iron ore – still going.

$120.00

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The Mount Bischoff Tin Field [Tasmania] Geological Survey Bulletin No 34 – A McIntosh Reid – 1923

Appears to be a very scarce item. Comprehensive report by the then Government Geologist.

Printed in Hobart by John Vale. Card covered perfect bound vii, 171 pages then 5 folding coloured plates of maps, plans etc other illustrations in the text some from period photographs. Complete and in very good condition.

Carries the huge personal bookplate of Tasmanian tragic R H Green – we say that from the super Thylacine incorporated therein. Likely the well known author of numerous books on the fauna etc of Tasmania.

After a good Introduction and set of preliminary papers we have an excellent History in precis. Then the usual professional sequence – Geography, Geology, Economic Geology, Mining Properties – numerous and taking up the bulk of the report before summary descriptions of photographs, photomicrographs (minerals) and the list of plates.

The plates comprise … Geological Sketch Maps of the Waratah District and the Mt Bischoff Area, Plan of Underground Workings at Mt Bischoff, Geological Sketch Sections of same and a Flow Sheet of the Mill.

Special Report on the Mighty Mt Bischoff – Great Maps etc

$120.00

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Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

A History of Railways and Tramways on Tasmania’s West Coast – Lou Rae

Tasmania – Geology of the Dundas – Mt Lindsay and Mt Youngbuck Region. Geological Survey Bulletin 62 [Four Large Maps]

Beaconsfield Gold [Tasmania] – Janet Kerrison – First Edition 1963

Report on Iron Ore Deposits – Yampi Sound (Western Australia) – A Montgomery -1920

The Mount Bischoff Tin Field [Tasmania] Geological Survey Bulletin No 34 – A McIntosh Reid – 1923

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