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Platypus by Lesueur from Baudin Voyage – c1820

An original hand coloured engraving of Platypus after a drawing by Charles-Alexandre Lesueur from the voyage of Nicolas Baudin. Depicting a female and male platypus and another male head appearing from the rushes to the right and the “tail up” of a diving female showing the monotremate area under the tail with the opening to the reproductive organs.

printed on wove paper 20cm by 13cm … small, charming historic engraving using a stipple engraving technique. Good condition.

Platypus delight from the Baudin expedition

$180.00

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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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Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

First edition of this collection of short stories by Chandler published by Hamish Hamilton, London in 1964. Octavo, 332 pages, very good dust jacket designed by “Andrew” page edges foxed but still a great copy of a sought after Chandler collection … rare in such a good dust jacket.

Published posthumously, Chandler died in 1959. Most had appeared early on in the magazine “Mask” in the USA … some elements of the stories were cannibalised into his later novels. See if you can spot them.

The eight stories of reasonably equal length include the title “Killer in the Rain’ and Bay City Blues; No Crime in the Mountains; Mandarin’s Jade; The Lady in the Lake; Try the Girl; The Curtain and The Man Who Liked Dogs … well who doesn’t.

Introduced by Chandler expert of the day, Prof Philip Durham of the University of California where numerous Chandler ephemera are housed.

Chandler – eight thrilling stories – first edition.

$65.00

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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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A Gun for Sale – Graham Green – Special Edition 1944

One for the collector or Greene lover. Scarce soft cover published by the Melbourne Truth in 1944. 128 pages. Apart from the insect damage along the leading edge of the cover, which goes to the title page, the book is in very good condition given its generally fragile nature.

Greene enjoys melodrama and there is plenty in “A Gun for Sale” – a strange one that makes it all that more enjoyable.

Greene with Guns and a special scarce issue Melbourne Truth

$35.00

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Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party – Graham Greene – First Edition 1980

A first edition published by The Bodley Head 1980. Octavo, 140 pages, complete dust jacket, a very good copy.

Seriously hilarious – a shorter tale [Greene would call it an “Entertainment”] about greedy people – Dr Fischer was a naughty man – Greene sees it all!

The unusual double “choice” title makes sense once read.

Greene- Bomb’s Going off in Geneva

$30.00

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Platypus by Lesueur from Baudin Voyage – c1820

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

Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

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

A Gun for Sale – Graham Green – Special Edition 1944

Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party – Graham Greene – First Edition 1980

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