Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – December 2012 [Significant Antarctic Content]

Hobart is not only one of the five official gateways to the Antarctic it is a centre for Antarctic Research and Publication.

Large scale softcover, perfect bound 98 pages. Quality production. Nice photographic images etc

The front image is the former Manager’s Villa at Stromness, South Georgia where Shackleton and his companions arrived in May 1916 after their historic journey of survival.

The first third of the publication contains reports on Tasmanian natural history – the balance is entirely Antarctic in nature.

[Dr Xavier] Mertz in Hobart: Impressions of one of Mawson’s men while preparing for Antarctic Adventure.

Dredging up Mawson: implications for the geology of coastal East Antarctica.

Leslie Russell Blake: Mawson’s forgotten geologist.

And, four others including one on South Georgia.

Royal Society Tasmania – a home for Antarctic research publication.

$35.00

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Surveying Instruments and Allied Apparatus made by Cooke, Troughton & Simms – 1923

In 1922 the substantial and highly respected instrument maker Cooke merged with the even more esteemed company of Troughton & Simms. The result was a business which dominated the high end of the manufacture of surveying and related instruments.

This catalogue released a year later in 1923 is much more than that as it set the historic record and provided a super narrative and photographic record of the combined companies capabilities. We do gush a bit, but this is such a magnificent item if you have a thing about theodolites!

Softcover cloth protected, 278 pages, numerous photographs, local maps of facilities and how to get there from the nearest railway station. Simple, bold introduction and their market; historical narrative from their inception by Thomas Wright in the early 18thC – his trade card of 1718 provided as an image. Followed by “General Remarks” re manufacturing capability great photographs of each department. Then 23 pages of technical information.

Product pages include a multitude of complex theodolites [including a special design for the Australian environment] and levels, compasses, alidades, clinometers, Galton sun signals, dipping needles, magnetometers, telescopes, etc. And, a section on “Underground Surveying Instruments”. The odd, interesting, image – Shackleton expedition using their gear farthest south in 1921; a chap in a nice suit taking readings down a mine and the miniature theodolite [our favourite] half-way up a rock face in the Rocky Mountains.

Cooke, Troughton & Simms – Never Surpassed and now never will be.

$160.00

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Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

Another Plomley rarity we don’t expect to see again for a long time.

Published as part of the Records of the Queen Victoria Museum in 1990.

Soft cover, 50 pages, with charts etc all in fine condition.

Baudin spent three days circumnavigation Maria Island in February 1802. Francois Peron was zoologist but also made meteorological, geomorphic, botanical observation – a multi faceted scientist was Peron.

Peron knew his stuff when it came to Maria.

$30.00

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The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

Another special book by Brian Plomley with the help of Josiane Pirad- Bernier. Now very scarce.

Large wide octavo, 378 pages, illustrated. Published by the Launceston Museum in 1993. A solid quality production in near fine condition.

Very well researched and written book on the Bruny d’Entrecasteaux and his visits to Tasmania.

Covers the preparations for the voyage and the officers of the Recherche and Esperance, and among other things their scientific work [Natural History, Geological, Botanical and Zoological].

Also includes as appendices the journals of Louis Ventenat and the botanist Louis Dechamps.

Rare collectable D’Entrecasteaux – more than a channel.

$140.00

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The First Documented Medical Discovery Relating to Australia – An Account of the medicinal Effects of the Resin of Acaroides Resinifera, or Yellow Resin from Botany Bay. By Charles Kite, Surgeon Gravesend, and C.M.S – contained in the Memoirs of the Medical Society of London – Published 1795 [but written in 1790]

A complete volume being Volume IV of the Society printed by Darton and Harvey for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry [London]. Very rare in any form. Published 1795. Incidentally the Medical Society was formed in 1773.

Octavo, 447 pages after preliminaries and before index. Neat library binding with paper title label. Cancelled stamp of the Bath Medical Library [Heaven knows why]. One loose gathering and a little age but a very worthy copy of this most interesting FIRST.

Many of the papers have merit but we must focus here on the paper relating to the Botany Bay resin. {Note resin and gum interchangeable below per Kite’s use]

Charles Kite who died in 1811 [no record of dob] is known for this work and another on “raising the apparently dead” he was the first to publish an example of using an electric shock [static electricity] to resuscitate a cardiac arrest.

We understand Charles Kite came up with the name Acaroides Resinifera for the plant, whilst it is now known as Xanthorrhoea or Grass Tree. Cook noted it in his journals in the year 1770 and it is now widely accepted that the gum was used for a variety of purposes by the aborigines including for its medical properties.

After an introduction relating to its use in stomach complaints Kite gives some historical background – refers to Philip’s journal {p. 59,60] but goes on to say the best information came from Mr Bowes Surgeon on the Lady Penrhyn. Bowes after describing the tree precisely goes on to where the “gum” is found, its quantity and how it is easily got especially in a hot sun. Kite goes on to record thirty experiments concerning the “gum” – various solutions and extractions. Kite proceeds to describe various cases where the “gum” has been used and the outcomes … also cases noted by other medics including Thompson of Rochester; Andrews of Brompton and Harris of Gravesend.

Comprehensive trial of the Botany Bay Resin by Charles Kite 1790/95 – Surely a FIRST

$490.00

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Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

A very good set of early Guinea Scales with contemporary instructions label. Manufactured Stephen Houghton who took over from Anthony Wilkinson at Ormskirk, Lancashire. Wilkinson had died in 1804. We have two very good examples this probably the best.

Self-erecting and known generally as the Lancashire Gold Balance. The brass beam is rectangular in section and has a hinged “turn and swing” overweight which counter poises the beam for the guinea or half-guinea. Once folded the end-button release mechanism sets and releases nicely.

A small rectangular sliding weight on the load arm registers in graduations to show discrepancies in of under-weight coins.

The collapsing mechanism makes the whole entirely portal in the gentleman’s trouser.

Functioning Georgian Gold Sovereign Scale

$190.00

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Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – December 2012 [Significant Antarctic Content]

Surveying Instruments and Allied Apparatus made by Cooke, Troughton & Simms – 1923

Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

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