Prestige Items

Geological Observations in South Australia – Tenison Woods – First Edition 1862

A first edition of Father Julian Edmund Tenison Woods (1832-1889) important work on the geology and palaeontology of South Australia – he would become one of the most significant contributors of the period.

Published by Longman Green, London in 1862. Octavo, 404 pages after preliminaries, 32 illustrations, 5 pages of plates and a map. Bound in half leather over cloth with marbled end papers and page edges. The embossed stamp of the New South Wales Library on the lower title approving their release of the book – some strange selections were and still are being made. A very good copy of a scarce and worthy book.

Tenison Woods and his first significant published work of Australian geology

$290.00

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Ten Droll Tales – Honere de Balzac – Illustrated by Jean de Bosschere – First 1926

The best rendition of Balzac’s hilarious and modestly erotic work. A very collectable item. Carries the distinguished bookplate of bibliophile Lancelot Goodenough Hayter (1882-1946) whose family can be traced back to the 16th Century – Hayter is a corruption of a German word meaning “Entertainer”.

A fine production published by John Lane the Bodley Head as a limited edition in 1926. Large octavo, xx, 221 pages, bound in original orange cloth covered boards, lavish gilt decoration, numbered 918 of a limited 1,000 copies. With the originally designer dust jacket; very much a rarity, albeit with the odd chip. Very good condition, decorated boards clean, internally very good a super copy.

Longer title explains more … Ten droll Tales. Being the story of the Fair Imperia, the Venial Sin, the Merrie Diversions of the Christian Majesty King Louis the Eleventh, together with certain other Quaint and Piquant Histories making up the First Decade of the Droll Tales of the Master Honore de Balzac rendered faithfully into English by J. Lewis May, with an Introduction by Andre Maurois and Illustrations by Jean De Bosschere.

And, it’s the remarkable, decadent, illustrations by Jean de Bosschere that really make the book as well as his design for the book binding itself. Sixteen full page coloured illustrations – in his usual striking palette; and further line drawings in keeping with the overall theme

Droll and rather titillating – Beautiful Bosschere illustrations – Rare Dust Jacket

$180.00

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The Minerals of New South Wales – Archibald Liversidge – 1888

Extremely scarce and important work on the minerals of New South Wales. Published in London by Trubner. Octavo, 326 pages after preliminaries, original binding, large coloured folding map frontispiece. Some foxing to ends and edges affecting the map, splitting a little at the front hinge. Accept this for its scarcity and relevance to the history of geology in Australia and specifically NSW.

Archibald Liversidge (1846-1927) studied at the Royal College od Chemistry then Cambridge where he founded the Natural Sciences Club. He moved to Australia and at 27 years old was appointed as a Reader in Geology at Sydney University> here he revolutionised the study of minerals and their potential applications.

This work was first issued in 1886 in a much smaller form, this 1988 edition adds significantly. Divided into two sections metallic and non-metallic. All editions scarce.

Liversidge set the standard – 1888

$340.00

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Deco Lady Bookends – Goldschneider – c1940

Simply superb, a rare pair of ceramic bookends by Marcel Goldscheider in collaboration with Myott of Stoke-on-Trent, England.

The Goldscheider family through Friedrich Goldscheider started their ceramics business in Vienna in 1885. It soon developed an enviable reputation for quality and leading art in its form. They opened outposts in Paris, Leipzig and Florence creating masterpieces in Art Nouveau and Art Deco. They were also commissioned by Rosenthal and Meissen.

With the “writing in the wall” in Europe the family migrated in 1938. Brother Walter went to the USA and started a factory at Trenton, New Jersey. Marcel, as already noted, went to England and the ceramic heartland at Stoke to work alongside Myott. He opened his own studio in the 1950’s at Hanley.

The items are free of any damage, are signed Goldscheider Staffordshire. They are beautifully formed with a very feminine Goldscheider look. They appear to be slightly different – one lady her head slightly cocked, evidencing a truly crafted piece. Nicely hand painted not in a fully like for like manner which adds to the special feel. They are roughly 11cm cube and weigh circa 850gm the pair.

Goldscheider Deco Ladies a rare find and in fine condition

$440.00

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Geology and Mineralogy – William Buckland [Considered with Reference to Natural Theology] – Published 1837

Published in London by William Pickering in 1837 – 2 Volumes complete bound in half black Morocco over marbled papered boards, gilt titles, volume numbers and designs to spine. In very good condition, the condition of the plates terrific.

Large octavo, xvi, 618 pages; vii, 129 pages, 69 plates [2 folding]

The volumes as lavishly illustrated with a famous multiple fold out plate in excess of a metre long beautifully hand coloured demonstrating various geological structures [one of the best executed coloured plates of the period.

Rev William Buckland (1784-1856) was an exceptional individual – a Fellow of the Royal Society, President of the Royal Geological Society. His interest in geology and paleontology led him to write the first full account of a fossil dinosaur which he named Megalosarurus. He discovered the Kirkdale cave and concluded that it had been a prehistoric hyena den – for which he was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society. This work was written just prior to his awakening that certain geological structures and fossil remains were a result of glaciation and not the effect of floodwaters from the great deluge. Buckland was a friend of a young Charles Darwin - there must have been some very interesting conversations.

Buckland’s Great Work on Geology and Paleontology - a Voyager favourite

$440.00

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Antique Surgical Tracheotomy Set – Down Brothers – c1910

A nice complete cased set of tracheotomy instruments by Down Brothers, London. Case identifies the maker and their premises opposite Guy’s Hospital.

The set comprises two ebony handled retractors, an ebony handled scalpel and a set of tracheotomy forceps, all with makers mark. The 1910 catalogue for Downs [See Welcome Foundation Collection ] indicated that the design for the dilating forceps was after a design by Dr St Clair Thomson, Professor of Laryngology at King’s College Hospital. In addition, a three silvered tracheotomy cannulae of differing sizes. All housed in the original covered box which is showing some wear but truly authentic.

Down Brothers was founded in 1874 and had premises opposite Guy’s Hospital at 21 & 23 St Thomas’s Street, London from 1879. They were incorporated as a Limited Company in 1902 although this detail may be unreliable as dating evidence [there is no mention of the Limited on the box]. Later, circa 1946 they amalgamated with Mayer & Phelps and moved to Mitcham Surrey.

Quality Instrument from a leading Surgical Instrument Supplier

$290.00

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Geological Observations in South Australia – Tenison Woods – First Edition 1862

Ten Droll Tales – Honere de Balzac – Illustrated by Jean de Bosschere – First 1926

The Minerals of New South Wales – Archibald Liversidge – 1888

Deco Lady Bookends – Goldschneider – c1940

Geology and Mineralogy – William Buckland [Considered with Reference to Natural Theology] – Published 1837

Antique Surgical Tracheotomy Set – Down Brothers – c1910

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