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Flying Doctor and The secret of the Pearls – Mchael Noonan

We cannot help to see the similarity between Noonan’s series of books about Dr Jeremy James an Australian Flying Doctor and Biggles.

Interestingly both published by the Brockhamption press. This edition 1967, octavo, 160 pages and “Biggles like” illustrations and dust jacket – we love it. very good condition.

In this medical adventure our Doc flies North to help a trapped pearl diver and has to don the necessary gear himself .. all in a days work for our medical hero.

No medical emergency too bizarre … and lots of adventure with it.

$30.00

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[Tasmania] Oddity and Elegance – Michael Sharland – First edition 1966

As mentioned on the front cover Michael Sharland had already issued the Tasmanian book “Stones of a Century”. This is by far a better book.

A very good copy in a complete dust jacket. Published by Fullers, Hobart in 1966. Squat quarto, 134 pages with many special images from photographs throughout.

About places, structures and their connection to key individuals. We particularly like the section on water driven mills [quite a few in the Huon valley]. And, the tidal powered mill [ahead of its time] in the North-west. Many and varied fences, the industrially scarred landscapes of the western mining regions and the naming of the peaks after a trove of Geological heroes.

Much more, entertaining and informative. Will make you a Tassie expert on its own!

Sharland on Tassie- his best and better than all the rest!

$50.00

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Sightings – The Gray Whales’ Mysterious Journey – Peterson and Hogan

A National Geographic Publication, 2002, first edition and quite hard to find for one of theirs – possibly because of its then price.

Octavo, 286 pages, nice photographic illustrations. A very good if not better copy.

The Gray Whale travels 10,000 along the western coastline of North America… breeding in the warm waters off Mexico and feeding in the chill of the Arctic.

Probably no better book on the subject and one that more should take an interest in.

Gray whales put the effort in – makes walking to work seem a breeze!

$35.00

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Piltdown Man [Exposure] – Ronald Millar – First Edition 1972.

Subtitled – “The story, as fascinating as a whodunit, of how the Piltdown skull came to be discovered; how the hoax was exposed and who the hoaxer may have been”.

A very good if not fine copy. Octavo, 264 pages, well- illustrated, great jacket. Published by Victor Gollancz in 1972.

Even if you are from the dark or from the modern ages and have never heard of the Piltdown man this book is a winner.

We had our own feeling about the identity of the hoaxer and the writer agrees – or vice versa. We will not spoil it but an Australian of then some dignity born in Grafton NSW – which is the big clue! We may have some of his work?

Piltdown Man – in some circles, a skull that has caused more controversy than any other!

$35.00

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Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac for the Year 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 very good condition with a black rebind at an early date, Brisbane bookbinders ticket 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 with 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

$180.00

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Beyond the Black Stump – Nevil Shute – First Edition 1956

Published by Heinemann, Melbourne etc a First Australian edition in very good condition.

Octavo, 289 pages, dust wrapper in period style slightly chipped.

An American geologist travels to out back Australia in search of oil. Near the end of the book the exact location is identified which turns out to be in the Pilbara, Western Australia.

Here he meets Mollie and her family who live on a successful station but in unusual family circumstances. They fall in love and intend to marry. Mollie’s mother suggest she visits her beau’s family home in America to better understand his “position” – she does and it turns out to be rather murky. They both go their own ways.

Sound like a heartthrob but its much deeper than that and for those that follow Shute really nicely written.

Shute first edition can’t believe it’s seventy years old

$35.00

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All products

Flying Doctor and The secret of the Pearls – Mchael Noonan

[Tasmania] Oddity and Elegance – Michael Sharland – First edition 1966

Sightings – The Gray Whales’ Mysterious Journey – Peterson and Hogan

Piltdown Man [Exposure] – Ronald Millar – First Edition 1972.

Queensland – Pugh’s Almanac for the Year 1886

Beyond the Black Stump – Nevil Shute – First Edition 1956

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