Curiosities

Bronze Plaque Swedish Polar Explorer Otto Nordenskiöld by Austrian Artist Hugo Taglang – 1905

Produced to commemorate the Antarctic achievements of Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskiöld (1869-1928) who led a Heroic Era expedition to the Antarctic in 1901-1904. A fine image of the man decked out in heavy polar furs.

Nordenskiold arrived in the Antarctic in 1901 and wintered on Snow Hill Island. Unfortunately, their ship the ‘Antarctica” got trapped in ice and sank in 1903. His back up Larsen eventually met up with the stranded team but was unable to get them away. They were eventually rescued by the Uruguayan Navy. Despite all this their visit was hailed a scientific success as they explored and researched much of Graham Land.

Nordenskiöld was made Professor of Geography at Gothenburg University in 1905 the same year this commemorative was struck. He later went on to explore northern Greenland and in the 1920’s certain parts of South America. He was killed by a bus in Gothenburg crossing the road.

80mm by 57mm weighing 170gm. The artist medallist Hugo Taglang (1874-1944) was born in Vienna. An example of this item is shown in the National Maritime Museum Collection, London ID MEC 2149.

Otto Nordenskiöld an unusual Antarctic commemorative
.

$180.00

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[Tasmania] Living Stones – Three Volumes Complete – Emberg(s)

Described as “a friendly guide to some Tasmanian graveyards”. So a strange little set of books that may interest those with that sort of curiosity. There is also a helpful assessment of Tasmanian graveyards with points allocated for various criteria – such as possessing a large gum or pine tree or have an obvious tragedy enshrined in stone or … a nice place for a picnic.

Three card covered volumes over circa 340 pages total, illustrated, strangely informative and mildly therapeutic.

Graveyards rated and gravestones described

$40.00

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The Book of Kells and The Art of Illumination

In the year 2000 Ireland’s greatest treasure the illuminated medieval manuscript the Gospel of St mark from the Book of Kells visited the National Gallery of Australia. We cannot imagine the insurance costs for this item beyond the wealth of any man.

Written painstakingly by Irish Monks and lost for many years before found “under a sod”.

Large format, perfect bound soft cover, 80 pages, heavily illustrated as you would expect.

The Book of Kells impossible not to stir some emotion.

$30.00

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Godwin’s Emigrants’s Guide to Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania]

A high quality facsimile of the exceedingly rare 1823 original. This published by the Tasmanian Government in 1990. A limited numbered edition of 500 copies this number 382.

Octavo, 90 pages, plus appendices. Large folding map and folding frontispiece view oof early Hobart.

Contains every bit of information that could be of assistance to anyone desiring to settle in Van Diemen’s Land. Interestingly, it also enclosed a blank application form for FREE GRANTS OF LAND … can you imagine the interest.

Bound nicely in half leather over suede covered boards, gilt title front and spine. A fine copy.

Godwin’s guide represents an important historical record

$130.00

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The Marine Chronometers of the Baudin Expedition to Australia – 1800-1840 – Hilary King

A very professional offprint from the journal of Antiquarian Horology, 1977.

Softcover, largish format, 508-521, illustrations from charts, a view and a of course the chronometers which look so advanced for the time. Postage may be reduced on this item for domestic customers.

Of course like all of the scientific voyages of the time the use of these valuable accurate chronometers in order to calculate true longitude was as important as the creation of the internet in our time.

Here we have a special digested account of the voyage, the expedition timekeepers, their accounts, records and performance.

Baudin Expedition the use of the Chronometers.

$30.00

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Inscriptions in Stone – St David’s Burial Ground (Hobart) 1804-1872 – Compiled by Richard Lord

First edition 1976. Number 215 of 1000 copies.

Published by St David’s Battery Point in 1976. Small octavo, 210 pages, frontispiece of Robert Knopwood astride his horse with dog. Very good copy.

A unique record of early Hobart town from the headstones of the first cemetery. Many that have visited Hobart have spent time reading the gravestones at St David’s. It is impossible not to come away with a sense of perspective on both old and modern life.

Sadness and triumph reflected in stone and here recorded in greater depth with through research (four years in the making).

There is nothing morbid about this book it is in fact a celebration of the first European’s to grace Tasmanian shores.

Graveyard delight (well it’s a special one) from Hobart.

$60.00

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Bronze Plaque Swedish Polar Explorer Otto Nordenskiöld by Austrian Artist Hugo Taglang – 1905

[Tasmania] Living Stones – Three Volumes Complete – Emberg(s)

The Book of Kells and The Art of Illumination

Godwin’s Emigrants’s Guide to Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania]

The Marine Chronometers of the Baudin Expedition to Australia – 1800-1840 – Hilary King

Inscriptions in Stone – St David’s Burial Ground (Hobart) 1804-1872 – Compiled by Richard Lord

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