Mining/Geology

Microscopical Mounts and Mounters – Brian Bracegirdle

This is the Bible as far as the world of collectors of prepared microscope slides is concerned. For the uninitiated, this is a wonderful pursuit and Brian Bracegirdle (1933 – 2105) was a genius putting this book together. No similar reference exists and it is highly sought after by collectors of scientific historicals.

Dr Bracegirdle was responsible for receiving the transfer of the Welcome Medical Museum Exhibits to the Science Museum in South Kensington, a formidable achievement. He was a strong personality, a hard taskmaster and like port … his obituary on the Science Museum website is well worth the read.

This book published in 1998 with the support of the esteemed Quekett Club. By this time, Brian was retired and living in Cheltenham. 225 pages after preliminaries including 60 full page plates of photographs of slide examples by many of the distinguished makers listed and described at the front.

It should be the ambition of all slide collectors to have at least one good example of every slide mounter in Bracegirdle. Voyager has quite a few and still searching.

No better guide has been or will be produced.

Now very hard to find and … who will compile another one?

$170.00

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Museum Quality Fossil Bowfin Fish from the Messel Pits, Germany

Very nice large extinct form of Bowfin Fish, Cyclurus kehreri. From the Middle Eocene (Geisealtalain) period – 47 Million Years Old.

These fossils are found within the bituminous oil shales that occur near the village of Messel, Darmstadt, Germany. The fossils are removed from the shale using a technique called reverse transfer preparation, where the fossil is mounted onto a resin plate and the destructive oils shale is then removed leaving the fossil on the resin plate. This is the only way for them to be preserved and the method is used by leading authorities.

Size of fish 26cm by 7cm, overall mount 36cm by 15cm.

The Fish has a number of living relatives such as the mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, griddle etc. and is also related to the gars.

An extremely rare and sought after fossil

$120.00

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Up from South – A Prospector in New Guinea, 1931 – 1937 – Jack O’Neal

The author Jack O’Neal prospected for gold at Edie Creek, Wau, Bulolo, Ramu and Waria. Pure Morobe goldfield adventure often in danger yet he admired the native tribesman. Based on his diaries and edited by the knowledgeable James Sinclair. Nice list of Pidgin terms for the uninitiated and curious.

Morobe Gold

$50.00

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In the Land of Pearl and Gold – Alexander MacDonald – First Edition 1907

First edition 1907. A Pioneer’s wanderings in the backblocks and Pearling grounds of Australia and New Guinea.

A nice copy with the striking front board illustration. Prospecting, mining and travel experiences in and around Australia with an excursion into New Guinea.

Good collectable relevant with nice illustrations

$120.00

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The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

A first edition of Hall and Neal’s legendary book about the ancient ruins of Rhodesia.

The binding is in very good condition and the gilt top edge clean and bright as day one. The pages are rough cut as required and there is some foxing internally as usual especially around the many plates where there is a change in paper type. Accepting this it is a very good copy with the gilt device to the front board strong and impressive. There is no fading along the bottom of the front cover that is just a glitch with Voyager’s scanner!

11 plans some folding along with 36 plates and a massive folding map of the ruins and ancient gold mines. An incredible effort and a Voyager favourite.

Early history in Zimbabwe that will surprise.

$170.00

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The Fortune Hunters – Frank Clune – First Edition 1957 Near Fine

Angus and Robertson First Edition 1957 in very good if nit fine condition.

Frank Clune out in Jeep amongst the minerals and aboriginals. Uranium and Jack Noble (discovered Nobles Nob) and confronting story and images of murdered Kai-umen. More than the usual Clune.

Best Clune – First and Good

$40.00

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Microscopical Mounts and Mounters – Brian Bracegirdle

Museum Quality Fossil Bowfin Fish from the Messel Pits, Germany

Up from South – A Prospector in New Guinea, 1931 – 1937 – Jack O’Neal

In the Land of Pearl and Gold – Alexander MacDonald – First Edition 1907

The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

The Fortune Hunters – Frank Clune – First Edition 1957 Near Fine

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