Idriess, Ion

Nemarluk – King of the Wilds

Nermarluk (1911-1940) was an aboriginal warrior who lived near Darwin at Moyle Plain. He was a fighting man well over six foot tall. He was the head man of the Chul-a-mar.

In 1930 he was imprisoned at the Fannie Bay jail but escaped swimming the eight km across the Darwin Harbour to Cox Peninsula. This account represents the last three years of his life when he was tracked by Bul-Bul, who had been brought in by the Northern Territory police to finally capture him.

1951 Edition Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Octavo, 213 pages, evenly toned, still war paper and some age in ends, very good dust jacket … all up a good copy of one of the harder to find Idriess reality based books.

Rare Idriess in the Northern Territory and the brave but dangerous Nermaluk

$40.00

Updating cart…

Headhunters of the Coral Sea – Ion Idriess – 1955

Idriess scarcity a tale for the young or the “young at heart”. Based on the true story of two young lads captured in the Coral Sea and their subsequent adventures. Based around the shipwreck of the Charles Eaton.

This is the new edition of 1955. Published by Angus and Robertson, octavo 207 pages, plus a list of the passengers and crew of the Charles Eaton and a chart of the cruise of the Isabella rescue ship. Within the text a chart of the Coral Sea – where the boys were wrecked.

Idriess – stories based on truth always have a special interest

$40.00

Updating cart…

Man Tracks – With the Mounted Police in the Australian Wilds – Ion Idriess – 1935

Published by Angus & Robertson 1935, a fifth edition same year as the first.

Octavo, 330 pages, illustrations from authors and contemporary photographs. Without dust jacket – red cloth covered boards clean – a better than good overall copy. End paper maps.

An impressive Idriess book about the Australian mounted Police up through the Red Centre, the North and North West. Many lively accounts recounted in the normal Idriess way. The photography in this book is special with a number of unique aboriginal images.

Real Crime solved by Police on Horseback

$35.00

Updating cart…

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

This is Ion idriess’s adaption of the incredible exploratory journey of the Jardine Brothers from Rockhampton all the way up to Somerset at the very tip of Cape York. They drove cattle all the way – their father already there by more comfortable means – he must have been a pretty confident parent. They had help of course but it was their termination that drove the party through – they didn’t all make it – it was pretty hostile on the way.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket a trifle worn – pretty good really and truly scarce.

Published by Angus and Robertson. Octavo, 222 pages, illustrated frontispiece of an attack on the party.

Idriess on the Jardines – a rare one.

$60.00

Updating cart…

Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

Ion Idriess found this his hardest book to write yet it is another masterpiece of yarn and knowledge all revolving around the elusive diamond

Published by Angus and Robertson, a 1957 edition. Large octavo, 344 pages, decorative “woodcut style” illustrations at most chapter headings. A very good, clean copy.

Diamonds for men – Nice copy

$60.00

Updating cart…

Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

First published by Angus and Robertson in 1933. This is the new edition, 1949, Inscribed by the author “Cheerio and good luck Ion Idriess”.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket is worn and repaired along the folds, the odd chip but still has some grace .. we love the colourway on this one.

The “Drums of Mer” captures the charm of the Torres Strait Islands. As usual great images to accompany an Idriess book. A selection of chapter titles gives one a feel … When the Blood Lust calls; The Battle of the Fly; Velvet Claws; The Trouncing of Kebisu; Jakara Makes Love and The People of the Auwo Oromo. Mer (Murray Island) is sitting between Yule Entrance and Flinders Entrance closer to Papua New Guinea than Australia.

Rare Idriess superb writing signed by the author

$60.00

Updating cart…

Nemarluk – King of the Wilds

Headhunters of the Coral Sea – Ion Idriess – 1955

Man Tracks – With the Mounted Police in the Australian Wilds – Ion Idriess – 1935

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

Stone of Destiny [Diamonds] – Ion Idriess

Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

Product Categories