Non-fiction

Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

An original hand-coloured engraving of the Western Rosella published in Edinburgh 1826 by Scotland’s greatest naturalist Sir William Jardine (1800-1874). This image is one of the earliest fine engravings of the bird.

Now referred to as Platycercus icterotis the Western Rosella of Moyadong is endemic to southern Western Australia. The yellow patches on the cheeks distinguishes from other members of the genus; icterotis means “yellow ear”. This is a male the females being duller in colouring. The first description of the bird was published by Temminck and Kuhl in 1820 from a collection gained in King George Sound. It was Nicholas Vigor who classified the bird as described in this engraving. The narrative accompanying the engraving states that Mr Vigors description of the bird is to be published in the forthcoming Zoological Journal confirming the very early nature of the engraving

Published as part of Jardine’s first great work “Illustrations in Ornithology” a now scarce and valuable collection of bird engravings. This is a large scale edition for those familiar with the pocket book sized engraving from the more common Jardine collection. Paper size 30cm by 23cm and as one can see the bird occupies the page impressively. Strong bright colours, fine engraving of feather texture.

Jardine was the 7th Baronet of Applegirth, Dumfriesshire and founder of the Ray Society. He was a superb artist in his own right but utilised the great illustrators of the day to complete his works including, Edward Lear, Selby, Stewart, Thompson and William Holmes-Lizars

Price $120.00 Unframed

Very early engraving of the Western Rosella

$120.00

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Graham Greene Yours Etc – Letters to the Press 1945-1989 – Selected and Introduced Hawtree

First edition published by Reinhardt and Viking in 1989. Complements the lengthy biographies nicely. Octavo, 269 pages including useful index. A fine copy.

Evelyn Waugh advised Green on his election to the magnificent club that is “Whites” that “ It is a rule that letters to the newspapers may not be written on the club writing paper”. So Greene had already established his reputation in that regard.

One can only envy Greene’s wit, turn of phrase, pungency etc. The letters are more than that though; they often take you to the issues, personalities and goings on of 20th Century modern history. Sometimes he is just having a crack. Superbly entertaining and informative.

Greene never held back and delivered with dignity and wit

$50.00

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Musical Quotation – Jazz – Signed – William Scmidt (1926-2009) American composer, arranger and music publisher.

An unusual piece of music ephemera in manuscript and signed by the composer … “Opening measures of Rhapsody No 1 for Clarinet and Piano” by William Schmidt.

Original piece 13 cm by 8 cm … strong “musical hand” in good condition. We love it.

There is a really lovely biographical interview online with William Schmidt. In that there are a few images helping to illustrate the man … one being this item.. we suppose it may have been given to the talented interviewer and maybe scripted then … who knows?

More to come we just need time to summarise the interesting life of William Schmidt.

Get out your Clarinet today for William Schmidt

$120.00

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The Lure of Unknown Lands – North Pole and Equator – Major F.G. Jackson – First Edition 1935

A first edition published by G. Bell, London in 1935. Large octavo, 342 pages, 44 illustrations from period photographs and three maps … North Russia; Franz Joseph Land and Central Africa. No dust jacket but otherwise a very good copy.

The maps are large folding and in super condition … the Franz Joseph map is a classic of exploration.

Frederick Jackson (1860-1938) probably the most unsung exploration hero of all time … a little like Hubert Wilkins. Prior to this late life summary as achievements he produced tow great classics … The Great Frozen Land [See Our Copy] and A Thousand Days in the Arctic (Both Voyager Favourites). Famously met Nansen in the Arctic frozen wastes with the Stanley /Livingston like greeting “You are Nansen – aren’t you?” .. the later having been lost for over a winter and had no clue where he actually was … saved by Jackson. The photograph of the meeting was reconstructed after Nansen had a chance to tidy up!

Despite the title the book starts in Western Queensland and the lead up to that is most interesting. Soon we are at Waigate Island, quite a contrast and the journey from Khabarova to to Archangel. Then the big event .. the Jackson – Harmsworth Polar Expedition … Franz Josef Land … winter, new discoveries and dangers and that extraordinary meeting. Further North and eventually a third winter. After all of this cold weather and excursion to war Jackson explores Central Africa and Liberia. What a life …

Jackson in the cold and the hot – super account

$90.00

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Tasmanian Tiger – Original Thylacine Engraving – by Varin – 1830’s

Scarce hand coloured engraving of the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine). A delightful depiction by Pierre Amedee Varin (1818-1883).

Paired with a botanical Thunbergie … as the engravings appeared in la Dictionnaire Pittoresque d’Histoire Naturelle et de Phenomenes de la Nature published in Paris in the 1830’s

28cm by 18cm in dimensions and in very good condition. Stipple engraved probably in steel … you can see the technique reflected in the hairs of the thylacine especially in the enlarged iamge … super technique.

Thylacine lovers often frame their favourite part omitting the botanical. We always leave those decisions to the buyer.

Pierre Varin came from a family of engravers and illustrators who came from Chalons- sur-Marne, now named Chalons-en-Champagne … a really beautiful part of France.

Scarce Thylacine engraving … well they are

SO SORRY SOLD

$170.00

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[Tasmanian Legal Stoush] – Montagu & Stephen Van Diemen’s Land 1836 – James Dally Publication No 5 of 99 Only

Algernon Montagu & Alfred Stephen in Supreme Court Proceedings against T.W. Rowlands; with a comment by Robert Lanthrop Murray; with Geo. Arthur’s Despatch.

An interesting and at times amusing record of goings on in the Hobart legal fraternity in 1836. Mrs Rowlands had been drunk seemingly according to Mr Moore which had led Mrs Rowlings to strike him on the shoulder with a whip in public, calling him a slanderer and liar … she challenged him to a duel … feisty stuff.

A court cased resulted at the Supreme Court Hobart presided over by Judge Montagu. The animosity the was on open display between Montagu and Attorney General Stephen was something special. The cocky young Stephen was late, ill prepared, unsuitably dressed and caught eating and drinking at the Bench … worse he questioned the authority of the Judge … the outcome we will leave that for your reading.

Published in Adelaide by James Dally dated 2007. Quarto, 166 pages bound in red cloth covered boards with matching slipcase. Only 99 copies were produced … this numbered and initialed number 5 … so extremely scarce.

James Dally a highly respected antiquarian bookseller in Hobart and Adelaide published a number of works under the imprint Sullivan’s Cove. The editor of this work Eustace FitzSymonds was a pseudonym of James Dally. Dated after James Dally’s death which records show was 2005.

Unique Tasmanian Legal History in a fine production and James Dally’s last work

$120.00

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Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

Graham Greene Yours Etc – Letters to the Press 1945-1989 – Selected and Introduced Hawtree

Musical Quotation – Jazz – Signed – William Scmidt (1926-2009) American composer, arranger and music publisher.

The Lure of Unknown Lands – North Pole and Equator – Major F.G. Jackson – First Edition 1935

Tasmanian Tiger – Original Thylacine Engraving – by Varin – 1830’s

[Tasmanian Legal Stoush] – Montagu & Stephen Van Diemen’s Land 1836 – James Dally Publication No 5 of 99 Only

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