Tasmania and Van Diemens Land

Storm & Silence – A Portrait [Circumnavigation] of the Tasman Sea – Joe Cannon – First Edition

A big book in many ways and a treasure of a tempestuous voyage clockwise around the Tasman Sea.

Softcover, self published in 2003, a slightly crude sticker proclaims First Edition Book No 27 and signed by Joe Cannon. Largish octavo, format, perfect bound, 408 pages, magnificently illustrated from original photographs, charts etc.

The route if you figure it in your mind starts in the Hobart Derwent and straight out south and east down to the Aukland Islands, turning north to Snares and Stewart Islands before hitting the coast of South Island New Zealand at the Bluff. Turning up the west coast past Milford Sound up to Wellington, Embarking east and north all the way to Norfolk island , Lord Howe and north from there to Middleton Reef. Directly west to Coffs and a less formidable sail south and return.

Great intermingled historical detail and the photographic elements … Norfolk, Lord Howe … Balls Pyramid are super. Nicely written narrative.

A signed copy of Joe Cannon’s adventures around the Tasman Sea – a unique account

$50.00

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Royal Hobart Regatta – Tasman’s Centenary Regatta -1838-1938

A little tired but a great piece of Tasmanian ephemera the official souvenir programme of the centenary regatta which doubled as a commemoration of Tasman’s discovery in 1642.

Such was the importance of the event in those days it was attended by senior representatives of His Majesty’s Australian Squadron, the New Zealand Squadron, the Royal Nederland’s Navy, the French Navy and the Italian Navy.

As well as the multitude of water events there was also the Aquatic Ball, the presentation of the Centenary Medal, Wood chopping, Illuminations, Fireworks etc

82 pages, rear cover missing with last page but the delightful front page retained quit nicely. Images of Tasman, Franklin, various current dignitaries, chart of the Derwent with course markers, images of flying boat etc. Good historical narrative and setting.

The 1938 Centenary Regatta – If only for the cover

$25.00

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The Scandalous Adventures of Captain Frederick Watson Wentworth – Hysterical Memoirs “edited” by Reg A Watson – Signed by the Author

Reg Watson, who left us last year, was a prolific writer. Many serious and seriously researched works flowed from his pen.

Effectively self published by the author in 2016 backed by the Anglo-Keltic Society. Large format perfect bound 92 pages, very good condition.

This is for sure a work of humour right from the Hysterical and the warning from the Canberra Censor … restricted publication adults only we – know this is yarn over fact.

Captain Wentworth – A Tasmanian Rake and Cad (1872-1949) certainly had an eventful life. Always wore his trousers one size to small to show his fine cut to the female kind. During his exploits he meets Breaker Morant and Chubbie Miller the female aviator and survives the Titanic. The erotic parts exit but are tame enough for general release – he seemed to attract women with a penchant for high leather boots and whips …

Signed copy of the readable enjoyable adventures of Captain Wentworth.

$35.00

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Mysteries of the Bass Strait Triangle – Jack Loney

A first printing 1980 of shipwreck expert Jack Loney’s work on the deadly Bass Strait Triangle.

Not just the ships lost but also some early aeroplanes disappeared.

UFO’s are more frequently seen in this area than anywhere else in Australia.

The photograph of the weird large blobs of light emerging from the water are shivering stuff.

Softcover, 112 pages, thoroughly researched as expected of the author and well illustrated

Not to be read on the Ferry!

$25.00

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Lucien Dechaineux 1869-1957 [Tasmanian Artist] – A Retrospective

Florent Vincent Emile Lucien Dechaineaux was an inspiring Belgian born artist who found his place and home in Tasmania.

Published by the Centre for the Arts Gallery, University of Tasmania, where an exhibition of the artists work was held in September 1986.

Card covered large size 53 pages with many examples of the artists work, some in colour. Scarce and in very good condition.

Dechaineux was 15 years only when his family emigrated to Australia. Family failures in fruit growing and gold mining saw Lucien end up at the Sydney Technical College. His first foray into art was house painting, but it was not long before his talent shone through. He married a Tasmanian girl and moved to the Apple Isle where he blossomed as an artist and educator.

Lucien Dechaineux a Tasmanian artist we should see more of ..

$30.00

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Beaconsfield Gold [Tasmania] – Janet Kerrison – First Edition 1963

Published a few time by the local community Rotarians. First edition 1963. Card covers, unpaginated but 45 pages, illustrated nicely from historic images. We have a copy of a later printing …

Set before the re-opening of the mine and the later terrible accident which culminated in maybe the greatest Australian mine survival story.

Starting with the gold rush in 1877 to the delightfully named Brandy Creek … by the 1890’s a substantial mine was in operation, with its enormous 180 foot chimney stack. The mining technology in place by the turn of the century was second to none.

As with many mines, reserves became depleted and the mine was wound down during WWI. Locals rumours abounded for years that there was a high grade parallel lode. So true that after this publication the mine was re-opened as mentioned above … and then again.

Mailing costs will be reduced on this item

Beaconsfield Gold – the back history and it’s significant – First printing

$25.00

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Storm & Silence – A Portrait [Circumnavigation] of the Tasman Sea – Joe Cannon – First Edition

Royal Hobart Regatta – Tasman’s Centenary Regatta -1838-1938

The Scandalous Adventures of Captain Frederick Watson Wentworth – Hysterical Memoirs “edited” by Reg A Watson – Signed by the Author

Mysteries of the Bass Strait Triangle – Jack Loney

Lucien Dechaineux 1869-1957 [Tasmanian Artist] – A Retrospective

Beaconsfield Gold [Tasmania] – Janet Kerrison – First Edition 1963

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