Tasmania and Van Diemens Land

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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A Pictorial History of The railway & Tramways of Western Australia – Ronald Aubrey.

Effectively self published at the OBM Bookshop, Hobart in 1975. The author a resident of Zeehan in Western Tasmania, in the very heart of this historic account.

Soft cover, large format, 52 pages, back covers a little edge nibbled, otherwise a very good copy. Ninety seven images from period photographs of the trains and trams make this a special record.

Through the early mining development of this remote region a number of lines were built and the book covers them all .. Emu Bay to Mt Bischoff; the Waratah Tramway; the Magnet Tramway; Tullah Tramway; My Lyell and Zeeham Railways etc etc

A special local history – see our broader collection of Industrial History in Tasmania

$40.00

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Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Well for those that have not been there, Stanley with its impossible to miss “Nut” is one of the most picturesque places you are likely to come across. And, steeped in history being a very early settlement associated with Australia’s first major corporation the Van Diemen’s Land Co.

Soft cover, landscape, 68 pages with a page of narrative followed by a sketch throughout. A super reference and keepsake for any Stanley lover.

Beautiful historic Stanley and Artist’s record.

$30.00

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Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

An interesting and enlightening book published as a quality book by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association in 1987.

Tall octavo, 188 pages, produced by Dan Sprod’s Blubber Press. Illustrated with images from early photographs, maps, colour frontispiece of the Old Government House. An excellent copy bar previous name tipped out on a free end paper.

The official and unofficial companions include … Martha Hayes, Maria Lord, Mary Geils, Margaret Davey, Lady Franklin [of course], Caroline Denison and many more. Well researched and written, a book about strong women and their role up front and behind the scenes.

Governor’s got the glory – but what about the women alongside them.

$50.00

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In Old Days and These and Other Stories – Tasmania – By The Captain

Extremely scarce and only edition published in 1930 printed at the Monotone Art Printers, Hobart, effectively self published by the anonymous “Captain”.

Octavo, soft covers 159 pages, illustrated throughout, the highlight being an unusual large folding map at the front of the Derwent Estuary. A number of “old style” advertisements for various Hobart businesses scattered throughout.

The “Captain” starts by suggestion the book contains numerous ancient and modern historical facts of Tasmania in general and Hobart in particular.

The detail in this book is quite astonishing. It wanders through the City streets referring to building after building .. the history of who owned it from its first existence, what use it was put to and the successes and failures that ensued. Amusing and fateful anecdotes along the way. Pubs feature strongly and, we are entertained with the new ways of making good beer that have been adopted in Hobart. Key individuals feature and we hear of the great family difficulties suffered by Voyager hero James Kelly, whaling entrepreneur and Derwent Pilot.

Few copies exits in libraries and none we can see for sale.

Special book on Hobart for anyone interested in the fine details.

$90.00

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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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Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1887

A Pictorial History of The railway & Tramways of Western Australia – Ronald Aubrey.

Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

In Old Days and These and Other Stories – Tasmania – By The Captain

Islands of South-West Tasmania – Gary White

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