Convicts, transporation etc

The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

Extremely scarce, despite being introduced as a “New Edition” with the circumstances of Each Fraud, and the Names of the Parties injured.

The lengthy title continues major Semple .. alias Major Harrold, Major Maxwell, Major Grant, Major Cunningham, Major Winter etc. With and account of his Devices at lord Salisbury’s, Sir Thomas Dundass’s, and Mr Pitt’s. Also the various Inventions by which he obtained Goods of Tradesmen. The Whole supported by indisputable Authority, with the Names of the Persons who were the Objects of his Depredations. Likewise … and Account of his Trial Before Mt Justice Gould and the Recorder at the Old Bailey on Saturday September 2 for defrauding Mr John Lycett, Coach-maker, in Whitechapel, of a Post-chaise, value fifty Guineas, of which he was Convicted.

Published by G. Kearsley, Fleet Street and sold by Bookseller, 1786. Octavo 90 pages after half title, frontispiece with engraving by Barlow of Semple in the dock, full title, book advertisements 2 pages, dedication from Compiler 1 page, blank 1 page, list of content 5 pages and Errata 1 page.

Bound in later quarter mottled polished leather with lavish marbled paper covered boards. Carries previous distinguished ownership bookplates of Nanyce Kent Perry and before that Dr George Mackaness. This being Ferguson No 18 and a manuscript note on the front pastedown “Ferguson Bibliography cites only the copy in Ferguson Collections.

Some evidence of professional repair to the margin on the frontispiece and some aging occasionally in the text but really a very good copy of a desirable early Ferguson book that cannot be found elsewhere.

Least to say the Major Semple was a bit of a rogue and a classy one at that. His final comeuppance rested on the fact the it was found that he intended to steal the coach … his defence was that it was a debt that he couldn’t pay … he lost and was sentenced to be taken to Botany Bay. He slipped ship at Rio!

Priceless Semple … off to Botany Bay in 1786 … or maybe not!

$390.00

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Brady McCabe, Dunne, Bryan Crawford, Murphy, Bird McKenney, Goodwin, Pawley, Bryant, Cody, Hodgetts Gregory, Tilley, Ryan Williams and their Associates – Bushrangers in Van Diemen’s Land 1824-1827

Another superb folio sized publication by Sullivan’s Cove 1979 number 338 of a limited edition of 750 – in fine condition.

Based on the text of James Calder originally published in 1873 together with later discovered documents edited beautifully by Eustace Fitzsymonds. Heavy in content as would be expected of an authoritative work. End paper maps assist in the following of the bushranger(y) developments

Collectable and complete

A large book will attract Overseas freight supplement … please enquire

$80.00

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Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land – Eustace Fitz-Symonds – Limited No 90 of 500

Published by Sullivans Cove, 1977 title continues … A Collection of choice petitions, memorials and letters of protest and request from the convict colony of Van Diemen’s Land; written by divers person’s both eminent and lowly.

A fine copy of a folio edition limited to 500 (this being no 90) carrying the bookplate of collector Harold Royle. Dust jacket now protected in fine condition. Mortmain (Dead Hand)

A veritable potpourri of historical documents of interest and humour. A goldmine of stories, both grave and gay, of those early days in the history of Tasmania when men and women practised terrible savageries on each other.

Members of the convict community had to obtain permission to marry. When Norah Corbett petitioned Governor Arthur for permission to marry Jorgen Jorgensen, the police magistrate of the Oatlands District, R. Anstey, warned Jorgensen his ruin was inevitable if he married the woman, as the woman was much addicted to liquor and had a propensity to beat and scratch the back of her lover when she was intoxicated. Arthur allowed them to marry on the condition they exchange vows that they would love and cherish each other from that day forward to the exclusion of all others.

As a contrast – a letter from John Gould listing the marsupial specimens he would like (including the Thylacine in male and female form) and that he would pay for the effort involved.

And many, many more

Real history in fine condition

A heavy book that will require an overseas freight supplement … please enquire

$80.00

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The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society 1926 March – George Binney – Amundsen’s Polar Flight

A very good copy of The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, March 1926, containing “Amundsen’s Polar Flight: Review” by George Binney.

Binney reviews the two publications of Amundsen’s Polar flight: My Polar Flight – Roald Amundsen, and Our Polar Flight – Roald Amundsen and Lincoln Ellsworth, both published in 1925.

Also in this edition; an essay regarding the inter-relations of East African territories, with accompanying colour map by Maj. A. G. Church; a wonderful examination of the lakes of Scotland and Switzerland by Prof. Leon W. Collet with maps, contours, geographical and mathematical analysis and splendid photographs to accompany the piece.

$90.00

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The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

Brady McCabe, Dunne, Bryan Crawford, Murphy, Bird McKenney, Goodwin, Pawley, Bryant, Cody, Hodgetts Gregory, Tilley, Ryan Williams and their Associates – Bushrangers in Van Diemen’s Land 1824-1827

Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land – Eustace Fitz-Symonds – Limited No 90 of 500

The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society 1926 March – George Binney – Amundsen’s Polar Flight

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