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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

$390.00

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The Box with Broken Seals – E Phillips Oppenheim -1920

A 1920 edition published by A L Burt, New York having been first issued the year before. Very difficult to find in its dust jacket and a great example.

Octavo, 300 pages, plus publisher’s catalogue.

Set against the backdrop of WWI secret despatches have gone missing. English Secret Service operative James Crawshay is on the job with American Sam Hobson tagging along. A fast moving dangerous plot.

The fate of WWI is up for grabs.

$80.00

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What Happened to Forester – E Phillips Oppenheim – Scarce First Edition 1930

A first edition published by Little Brown, Boston in 1930.

Octavo, 260 pages, in better than very good condition – still with its original wrap around yellow promotional slip.

A series of ten interconnecting short stories about the strange goings on concerning the disappearance of Major Andrew Forester retired from the army. A dashing chap who likes adventure and skirts the law.

Lots of conspiracy and dark characters.

Scarce and well presented Oppenheim

$120.00

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Up the Ladder of Gold – E Phillips Oppenheim – 1931

A first US edition published by Little Brown, Boston in 1931 one year after the UK First.

Dedicated to P.G. Wodehouse – “To my friend “Plum” Wodehouse – who tells me what I can scarcely believe, that he enjoys my stories as much as I do his”.

Octavo, 312 pages, overall a very good copy albeit a couple of edge chips and some repair and age to the dust jacket.

“The amazing story of the man who made war impossible” Protagonist Warren Rand is a mysterious businessman of dimensions to more than rival Murdoch. He controls newsprint, dominates stock markets and world economies … buys more gold than they can dig up … until his real purpose is revealed!

Oppenheim with an underlying message that resonates today

$80.00

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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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The Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition – An Account of the Crossing of The Continent of Australia from Cooper’s Creek to Carpentaria.

High quality faithful facsimile of the rare Burke and Wills publication of 1861 – Reprinted from “The Argus”.

Published by the Libraries Board of South Australia in 1963. Octavo, ive, 36 pages, folding map. Bound in deep blue leatherette, gilt titles to spine. Neat ownership signature to front ends – distinguished collector.

A super copy of this key exploration account, excellent multi-folding [vertical] map of the Track … of Burke, Wills, King and Gray and the course of Howitt and party to trace the remains of the Expedition.

Burke and Wills perished but not forgotten

$75.00

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The Box with Broken Seals – E Phillips Oppenheim -1920

What Happened to Forester – E Phillips Oppenheim – Scarce First Edition 1930

Up the Ladder of Gold – E Phillips Oppenheim – 1931

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

The Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition – An Account of the Crossing of The Continent of Australia from Cooper’s Creek to Carpentaria.

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