Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

The Great Pyramid – [Astronomical] Observatory, Temple and Tomb – Richard Proctor – First Edition 1883

One of the great books on the Great Pyramid. A first edition published by Chatto and Windus, London 1883.

Octavo, 323 pages, plus lengthy publishers catalogue. Illustrated throughout with explanatory diagrams and with frontispiece. Bound as original in red/brown cloth with embossed Egyptian inspired design to front, gilt titling to spine and super gilt Great Pyramid to front. Slightly cocked with a little ageing mainly from the front tissue guard otherwise a very good copy of this important work.

Proctor was a distinguished author on many things astronomical during the era and held a fascination [along with others] about the astronomical purposes of the Pyramid. Here he explores this and other propositions with his usual diligence and we learn about the extraordinary uses of this massive structure.

Proctor explains the Great Pyramid.

$220.00

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Brecciated Mookaite – Mooka Springs Western Australia

A small but attractive piece of Mookaite with the distinctive mosaic pattern of cream and brown separated by ever so thin layers of opal. Special texture.

The brecciation is formed by tectonic stress applied to the Mookaite Jasper structure. Over time silica rich waters flow through the fractured structure providing the binding layer.

The jasper structure is formed from the fossilised remains of tiny Radiolaria a creature we know well at Voyager through our interest in microscopy.

7cm by 5cm by 2.5cm weighing 15gm.

Small piece of Mooka and millions of radiolaria.

$20.00

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Honey Calcite – Northern Tasmania

An attractive piece of honey calcite from Flowery Gully, Tamar Valley, Tasmania.

Good example, like this, are occasionally found in pockets within massive dolerite. In the Tamar Valley, the calcite crystals include iron or manganese inclusions which gives it the lovely amber [honey] colouring without removing the natural translucent qualities. Fluorescent under ultraviolet light. Lovely mass of rhombic structures to this example.

10cm by 8cm by 6cm weighing 125gm.

Honey calcite a nice display and seemingly very soothing on the mind

SO SORRY SOLD

$40.00

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Australian Desert Rose – Unusual Gypsum Formation

A nice example of a Gypsum desert rose dug out of the dry lakebed at Woolcunda Station, Coomba, NSW. The location is 125 km south of Broken Hill.

Iron oxide in the sand gives its colouring but it’s the special formation of the crystals [formed by infrequent leaching when the rains actually come] that makes this special.

A nice even sided display, weighing 40 gm and measuring 10cm by 6cm by 4cm

Desert Rose with a very attractive structure.

$35.00

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Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Large scale softcover, perfect bound 98 pages. Quality production. Nice photographic images etc. Published by the Society.

Two Antarctic vignettes by H.J.G Dartnall, only two pages each but intriguing. First, about John Forbes, known as Mawson’s sailmaker. The second, more intriguing is about Tasman Spalding from Dunalley,. Tasmania, a 23 year old who served on the Terra Nova relief voyage. He was entitled to the Polar Medal but did not receive it possibly because his name got transposed and hence proved difficult to find at the time of handing out.

Other interesting articles include aspects geology at Heard Island; a new freshwater sponge discovered at Lake Peder; the diet of the Tasmanian Devil.

Terrific illustrations from scientific work – sections, micro photographs etc.

Royal Society Tasmania – superb work

$25.00

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Rare Large Sized Microscope Size – Lantern Fly – China (Duplicate)

No date or maker but this presentation was a specialty in the late Victorian / Edwardian era. Reference authority “Bracegirdle” shows a number of “outsized” examples but none quite like this.

In modern terms known as the spotted lantern fly. The insect is on the move and a potential threat in Australia – modelling has shown that it could survive well in western and north-western Victoria. When we say a threat, it was endemic to China and Vietnam but moved into South Korea in 2006, Japan in 2009 and the USA in 2014 … so the move is on.

Here the little blighter is beautifully preserved and presented in Canada Balsam … we know that CB was the mounters choice due its quality and the cursive narrative says so.

A microscopical rarity outsized mount of the Spotted Lantern Fly.

$150.00

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The Great Pyramid – [Astronomical] Observatory, Temple and Tomb – Richard Proctor – First Edition 1883

Brecciated Mookaite – Mooka Springs Western Australia

Honey Calcite – Northern Tasmania

Australian Desert Rose – Unusual Gypsum Formation

Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Rare Large Sized Microscope Size – Lantern Fly – China (Duplicate)

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