Non-fiction

The Hard Way [the Writing and Publication of Power Without Glory] – Frank Hardy.

This is the re-issue published by Rigby, Adelaide in 1976.

Octavo, 255 pages, original brown cloth covered boards, illustrations from relevant photographs. A near fine copy in a very good dust jacket which features a painting by fellow communist and artistic activist Noel Counihan.

This is Frank Hardy’s account of the writing and publishing of his classic novel the Power Without Glory. It was published original in 1961 by which time he had had nearly ten years to reflect on the goings on … including some time in the Courts.

Frank Hardy and the tale of the making of Power Without Glory

$35.00

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Kangaroo and Marsupial Friends – Bertuch 1800

An original hand coloured copper engraving of the Kangaroo with some friends.

This is one of the earliest images of the Kangaroo by Bertuch published in Germany c1800. It is based on the first ever painting by the great George Stubbs supposedly from an inflated kangaroo skin

A good size, 40cm by 20cm on thick wove paper, strong original coloring.

Price $140.00 unframed or $240.00 in cream mat with black core inside reddish gilt frame … a nice combination

Early and delightful image of the Kangaroo

$140.00

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Joseph Conrad and the Barque Otago – Sir William Crowther – 1975

Bound notes by Sir William Crowther for the handing over of the restored companionway superstructure to the officers’ cuddy from the Otago [Joseph Conrad’s ship].

Very few would have been produced so a scarce as it is brief. Quarto in size, bound nicely in blue cloth covered boards with gilt titles. Original photograph of the glorious companionway affixed to front paste down. Title, Preface and five pages typescript one side only. Dated 21st March 1975, fine condition. Our image of the blue covers looks a little drab … that’s just our scanner …

The work represents a brief summary of association of the great writer Joseph Conrad, then Captain Conrad with the barque Otago. The State Library had acquired the structure recovered by Crowther, a great bibliophile and collector, a number of years earlier at Risden, Hobart when the boat was finally broken up. It lay in Crowther’s back garden for many years before being restored by Philip Fowler.

Whilst brief the article gives a nice potted history of Conrad’s early days and how he came to be in charge of the Otago. His novel The Shadow Line, from which Crowther quotes was written about his voyage to Singapore to pick up the Otago.

Sir William Crowther should not be confused with his Grandfather of the same name who committed some rather nasty acts regarding the bodies of aboriginal people. This Crowther whilst still perhaps confused by the right and wrong at least gave up the family collection of indigenous relics to the Museum and these have since been given some final respect.

Regarding this item .. well a unique work in the Conrad genre.

$50.00

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Victoria’s Forgotten Goldfield – Christie and Gray – Signed by Christie – First Edition 1981

… A History of the Dargo, Crooked River Goldfield.

Super little book and a very details and oft curious story of the goldfield at Dargo, in Eastern Victoria.

Softcover, small format, 136 pages, with illustration, tables of information etc a nice production. Signed on the title by Christie, very good condition albeit the back cover is marked at edges, but with no comprise internally which is bright and clean.

After discovery in 1865, gold recovery peaked in 1868 at 7,652 ounces and soon fell away. Despite this brief moment of glory as with other gold fields it spurred an enormous amount of interest and development in the area. We are off tomorrow to look at a spot not too far away.

Well honed history of one of the lesser known and more curious gold finds in Australia

$35.00

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A Palm Beach – Original Pochoir by George Barbier – Gazette du Bon Ton -1921

An original hand coloured “Pochoir” by George Barbier (1882-1932) the most desirable artist that contributed to Paris Gazette du Bon Ton.

This pochoir published in Paris in 1921.

“A Palm Beach” Tailleur de Worth. The costume from the famous Paris based House of Worth which operated between 1857 and 1956. A three piece outfit in red poplin with a chiffon bodice covered in blue lace; the jacket embroidered in navy.

Price $160.00 unframed.

Much sought after George Barbier

$160.00

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Original Woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay – 1958

Original woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay for Keith Wingrove created in 1958. Signed in the plate.

Keith Wingrove (1910-1995) was an art and book collector. He had a strong interest in bookplates and commissioned a number of designs by both Lionel Lindsay (1874-1961) and his brother Norman Lindsay and other artists of note. Wingrove was very close to the brothers .. Norman wrote over 350 letters to him …

10cm by 7.5 cm with a strong contrasting image directly from the plate.

Collectable Australian Bookplate.

$60.00

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The Hard Way [the Writing and Publication of Power Without Glory] – Frank Hardy.

Kangaroo and Marsupial Friends – Bertuch 1800

Joseph Conrad and the Barque Otago – Sir William Crowther – 1975

Victoria’s Forgotten Goldfield – Christie and Gray – Signed by Christie – First Edition 1981

A Palm Beach – Original Pochoir by George Barbier – Gazette du Bon Ton -1921

Original Woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay – 1958

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