Australia

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

Updating cart…

Hobart-town – Oder Sommerfrilche in den Antipoden (A Summer Holiday in the Antipodes) Ludwig Salvator von Toaskana, Archduke of Austria – Signed as a gift by the Author

Signed boldly by the author “The Count Archduke Ludwig Salvator to W. M. Middleton”.

Published privately in Prague, printed by Mercy, 1886. Quarto sized 286 pages after preliminaries with 6 text xylographs (woodcuts). 23 (1 tri-folded) xylograph full page plates and 1 color lithographed map. Faded spine and some wear to covers, else a good copy of a very scarce item complete and original. Limited to 400 copies.2

Begins with a general history and covers climate (klima), geology, plants (pftanzan), animals, aboriginals (eingenborenen) … farming, trade, education etc. Interesting references made including Rev Spicer on Tasmanian Plants, Bonwick “Daily Life …”, Marcus Clarke, Fenton, Louisa Anne Meridith etc.

Ludwig Salvator (1847 – 1915) was the grandson of Grand Duke Ferdinand III of Tuscany. He left Tuscany with his family in 1859, received legal training, and devoted himself to natural sciences and nautical interests. Later he took his residence in Majorca and traveled extensively in the Mediterranean, as well as overseas. Ludwig Salvator conducted extensive correspondences, including Jules Verne, who included him as the title figure of his novel Mathias Sandorf. As well as his estates on Majorca (now owned by Actor Michael Douglas) he owned substantial properties in Austria-Hungary, France, Spain and Egypt.

The book contains many interesting views xylographed from original drawings by Count Eugene Storza, Chamberlain to the Duke. The tri-folding panorama of the “View looking South from Mount Romny” is rather special. The map shows Hobart and its surroundings and is based that of F.J. Evans.

Rare Hobart collectable with unique illustrations of views.

$380.00

Updating cart…

Lord Howe Island – Jean Edgecombe.

A first edition softcover published in 1987. Published by Australian Environmental Publications, Mullens Street, Balmain [effectively self published].

151 pages, heavily illustrated, including some good images in colour from relevant photographs. Large, detailed fold out map provided separately. A very good copy.

Jean Edgecombe was indeed the best writer on Lord Howe and Norfolk Island. Starts with a good history re discovery and early settlement before excellent work on the geography and abundant natural history. Dick Smith’s foray to top Ball’s Pyramid gets an airing.

Lord Howe another special island location

$25.00

Updating cart…

King of the Australian Coast [Phillip Parker King] – Marsden Hordern

Marsden Hordern’s magnificent book about “the Work of Phillip Parker King in the Mermaid and Bathurst 1817-1822”.

A quality production by the Miegunyah Press. Published in 1998 a second limited release. Large octavo, 441 pages nicely illustrated throughout some in colour many from images drawn or painted by PPK. A heavy book. Eight folding historic maps in facsimile in pocket at rear.

Very good condition.

We agree with the summary of this work .. Phillip Parker King stands with Cook and Flinders in the history of exploration and charting of the Australian coastline. To a degree until this book he has not been given the credit deserved … this sumptuous book makes amends. It is the go to reference of PPK and his time in and around the Australian coastline. A must have and already highly sought after.

Phillip Parker King in Australia in Full.

$90.00

Updating cart…

First Discovery of Australia and New Guinea George Collingridge – First Edition1906 [Important Work]

Cornerstone book on the early exploration of Australia / New Guinea … a Voyager favourite/

A narrative on the Portuguese and Spanish Discoveries in the Australasian Regions, between the Years 1492-1606, with descriptions of their old charts.

Octavo, 132 pages the appendices with maps striking maps and images throughout. Published by Brooks, Sydney in 1906. Original green cloth covered binding with gilt title at front, bumped and rubbed, previous ownership signatures, very good internally.

Includes the 16th century voyages to the spice islands and the discovery of New Guinea, the Villalobos Expedition and further discoveries in Papua, Jave-le-Grande and the early map of Australia, the maps of Pierre Descelier, and Deslien. The discovery of the Solomons by Mendana and Sarmiento with an early map and of course Queiroz voyage to Espiritu- Santo and Torres and his important discoveries.

Frontispiece map and many others mostly coloured plus black and white illustrations and a useful chronology.

Collingridge on the early discoveries.

$120.00

Updating cart…

Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac 1886

The essential publication of the day … Pugh’s Almanac, Law Calendar, Coast Guide and Gazetteer and “Men of the Time” for 1886

536 pages followed by 94 pages of business advertisements to the rear and more at the front and the odd one inserted.

Carries the bookplate of Alan McKiness who was perhaps the greatest ever collector of all things Queensland on paper. Also, overlapped by Alan’s bookplate that of his father D.H. McInnes – an engraving of the Endeavour. Now protected in a sturdy red cloth covered solander case with label to spine. The almanac is in pretty good condition with a black rebind at an early date, Brisbane bookbinders ticket again partly obscured by Alan’s bookplate..

Always difficult to give justice to these incredible almanacs which contain so much information that to read from cover to cover would occupy the year. Essential information matted with trivia which we find illuminating. 8th June steamer “Victoria” chartered to take islanders home, left for Townsville with Government party under leadership of Lieut. Chester” – marks the end of blackbirding. On the 14th June Victoria sets off wit 405 illegally obtained islanders for the south Sea islands etc. 11th February – English cricketers left on the steamer Wentworth for Sydney- Reported that $10,000 has been offered by the Fenians for the Prince of Wales dead or alive. 3rd March England warn Russia on Afghanistan. 11th November – Massacre of Geographical Society Expedition on the Fly River. 23rd December – the New Guinea expedition reported to be massacred arrived at Cooktown in the “Benito” all well!

Large folding graphical chart of rainfall and wet days (67cm by 40cm).

Large folding map of Queensland (66cm by 56cm) showing the rainfall in 1884

Section on Statistics; Sailing Directions, colour fold out of signals in force, comprehensive and a good chapter on “Progress in the Colony”.

As you can imagine near 100 pages of period advertisements make good reading for those that are interested in the history of business in Queensland. Tow we would like to point out – John Lennon announcing the opening of his new Hotel in Queens Street … still going today and a full page add by John Petrie, obviously going quite well .. Queensland history buffs would understand the significance.

A good Almanac with map etc., nicely cased – 1886

$240.00

Updating cart…

The Minerals of New South Wales – Archibald Liversidge – 1888

Hobart-town – Oder Sommerfrilche in den Antipoden (A Summer Holiday in the Antipodes) Ludwig Salvator von Toaskana, Archduke of Austria – Signed as a gift by the Author

Lord Howe Island – Jean Edgecombe.

King of the Australian Coast [Phillip Parker King] – Marsden Hordern

First Discovery of Australia and New Guinea George Collingridge – First Edition1906 [Important Work]

Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac 1886

Product Categories