Natural History

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1887

Printed at “The Mercury” Office Hobart in 1888. Bound in original salmon pink paper covered boards, lxvii pages ,289 pages plus 43 lithographic plates mainly of botanical items at the rear. Other folding plates and tables some of significant interest.

Many papers demonstrating the broad range of intellect in Tasmania at that time.

Much on fish and the introduction of salmon by Saville-Kent. New botanical discoveries … a short paper on the Comets of 1880 and 1887 with a useful chart … a surprising paper on the orbit of Alpha Centauri. Topographically Colonel Legge’s paper on the Highlands of Lake St Clair is of a high standard and the lengthy review of the Tertiary Rock of Australia by the esteemed R.M. Johnston similarly with many folding tables accompanying this article.

Showing some age and wear to the covers, see images, and some minor soiling lower down on a few of the preliminary pages, still a very good example of a scarce and worthy journal.

Substantial Journal with a broad range of Tasmanian interests – many engraved plates.

$60.00

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World Famous Books in Outline [Simply the Best] – Odhams – First Edition 1948

Some readers are worried they will not get through all the books they have to read … this understandably can be quite stressful.

Regarding the great novels, a course in speed reading may help, but this produces its own form of anxiety … am I really giving the book justice etc? Publisher Odhams, London came up with this precis of the best novels in 1948 … there are other books of this type but none as good as Odhams.

Published in 1948, octavo, 512 pages, with illustrations of some quality and uniform style which helps you along. Very good condition albeit with a solid chip in the dust jacket at spine ends.

All up 35 books covered, so you can do the maths. Classics include … Pride and Prejudice; Lorna Doone; Jane Eyre; Don Quixote; the Brothers Karamazov; Madame Bovary; Tess; Notre Dame; Vanity Fair; War and Peace; Faust etc … And, some non-fiction … On the Origin of Species for example

Get ahead of the game … A good way in and a tease for the full work

$30.00

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Islands of South-West Tasmania – Gary White

A very helpful book by the thorough Gary White. Not much else is written about the islands of the South West of Tasmania and this fills the gap.

Published by the author in 1980. Softcover, 63 pages and more content than the pages suggest. Some images from photographs .. the islands from a distance quite worthwhile.

In case you are unfamiliar covers .. De Witt island; Maatsuyker .. where you can still put your hand up to be Lighthouse Keeper; Flat (Mutton Bird) Island; Louisa; Fiat Witch and other lesser ones as a group.

South of Tasmania there are some cold islands but they are special.

$30.00

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Burrunguy – Nourlangie Rock [Kakadu] – George Chaloupka

The striking natural features of the Burrunguy, also known as Norlangie, in the Northern Territory Kakadu National Park are World Heritage listed. The ancient rock forms are surrounded by a massive network of crevices and gorges containing a wide range of geology, flora and fauna.

Also at Burrunguy are many quite curious and relatively recent (20th century) aboriginal rock painting depicting stories of the people and their history.

Published by North Art in 1984. Small quarto, 40 pages intensely illustrated with images from colour photographs many of the unusual rock painting. End paper maps.

Hidden Kakadu treasures.

$30.00

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Beyond the Frozen Sea – Visions of Antarctica – Edwin Mickleburgh

A first edition published by The Bodley Head, London in 1987. Large octavo, 256 pages, endpaper maps, charts and great photographs throughout. Very good condition

Much admired by the late Sir Peter Scott which makes it a winner for Voyager on that fact alone.

This book is for one not only interested in the history of the discovery of Antarctica but also the preservation of its natural resources and environment.

In the history we have from Cook and an interesting reference to Coleridge and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner [Spurred Voyage on to find a special copy]. Then the first sighting, perhaps first landfall, over-wintering and the heroic era.

Moving to resources the best narrative we have read on the devastation of the seal colonies … island to island. Mineral resources, changes [then] in weather patterns, preservation of the krill, the Treaty and the reality of its working … food for thought with a big renewal coming up not too far off.

In terms of depth and breadth of content a big book on the Antarctic.

$35.00

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Cruising the Coral Sea – Alan Lucas

This is the third edition nicely updated with aerial images and some extra anchorages. A really super book about the tropical coast of Queensland and the Ocean and Islands. The kind of book that is probably difficult to continue to produce spoilt by the accessibility of the internet. But nowhere is so much useful and interesting information presented in an orderly and balanced fashion.

Published by Horwitz in 1976, large octavo, 336 pages with a multitude of maps, sketches, the aforesaid photographic images etc.

After a useful introduction we have a description of the reefs , the islands past present and notes on conservation. Then a handy chapter on catching and cooking your own food .. and the number of poisonous creatures encountered. Safety in the waster … not just sharks but the stingers even the small ones that can kill. Then into the detail of the approaches and anchorages and what a good anchorage looks like …

A special book on Queensland and only dated where it is interesting …

$30.00

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Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1887

World Famous Books in Outline [Simply the Best] – Odhams – First Edition 1948

Islands of South-West Tasmania – Gary White

Burrunguy – Nourlangie Rock [Kakadu] – George Chaloupka

Beyond the Frozen Sea – Visions of Antarctica – Edwin Mickleburgh

Cruising the Coral Sea – Alan Lucas

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