Biography/ autobiography

A Living Voice of the Living Bush – William Ricketts – Wonderfully Annotated and Signed.

First and only edition published by the Victorian Forestry Commission in 1965 celebrating the incredible art of William Ricketts. Larger format soft cover, 24 pages with sixteen colour illustrations. A bit marked and aged on the cover, clean inside, forgive any deficiencies for his manuscript additions.

The annotation on the first blank page reads as follows … “From my Mountain of Remembrance where we remember with love everything that was created … [followed by his creation symbol underscored with his signature] … The Prayer of the Mountain – The Prayer of the Forest – My prayer – all are one Prayer … “

Added in different hand the name of the receiver.

William Ricketts (1898-1993) misunderstood and maybe he misunderstood … regardless he made beautiful objects. If it offends, well then that’s a bit sad. He was a religious man and felt the earth and whether he misrepresented and misplaced .. well that gives a job for the academic critics. Just enjoy them. They were badly damaged in a massive storm a couple of years ago … we hope they have been resurrected.

In the 1950’s he spent quite some time with the Pitjantjatjara and Arrente people in Central Australia … they inspired his work among the trees in the Dandenong Mountains.

William Ricketts – A rare annotation we believe.

$60.00

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Colonel William Light – Founder of a City (Adelaide) – Dutton and Elder.

A very good book about the industrious and complex character that was William Light who did much to create the City of Adelaide, South Australia.

Published by Melbourne University in 1991. This is the second issue of the work, significantly updated with new content. Octavo, 313 pages, illustrated. A very good if not better copy.

Light switched on Adelaide.

$25.00

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Sitting on Penguins [An Antarctic Diary] – Stephen Murray-Smith

A fine edition first edition of this provocative and we believe misunderstood book by the opinionated Murray-Smith.

HS spent the summer of 1985-86 in the Antarctic and this represents his diary interspersed with history, information and opinions and views on individuals and the greater Australian objectives and achievements in this icy world.

Octavo, 249 pages, illustrated and with end paper maps. A fine as copy as you will get. Published by Hutchinson in 1988. the jacket looks a bit strange front right but that’s what it’s like.

PS never sit on a penguin!

Murray-Smith a honed Antarctic diary with views and opinions that could still shape the future.

$30.00

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The Seats and Causes of Diseases Investigated by Anatomy – Giovanni Battista Morgagni – 3 Fine Volumes

Reproduces the 1769 edition for the “Classics of Medicine” – these volumes published 1983.

Three large volumes thick royal octavo 868, 770 and 604 pages after preliminaries and before indexes. Bound in jet black leather, marbled endpapers, gilt page edges, gilt design to covers, silk page markers. They make quite a statement. Circa 5kgs in weight so postage will vary dependent on customer location – please enquire. Nice presentation and a very good set.

Morgagni (1682-1771) regarded as the “Father of the Anatomical Concept”.

The origins and causes of diseases anatomically investigated, contains reports on an extensive series of postmortems performed by himself, his teacher, Valsalva, and other members of his circle. By comparing the clinical symptoms with the postmortem findings Morgagni laid the foundation of pathological anatomy. It is hard to find an area of the human body without something named after him.

Morgagni – Medical Classic – 3 Volumes

$160.00

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The Life and Times of Gaspare Tagliacozzo – Surgeon of Bologna (1545-1599)

A beautiful and substantial book from the Classics of Medicine Series. Large octavo, 538 pages bound in full black leather with lavish gilt work. Page edges richly gilt, marbled endpapers, silk marker ribbon intact. Co-written by Martha Teach Gnudi and Jerome Pierce Webster. Initially published by Herbert Reichner, New York … this special edition published in 1989. A very good copy. A heavy book that will require an Overseas postal supplement.

Gaspare Tagliacozzi was an Italian surgeon and pioneer of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He was born and died in Bologna, where he studied at the University commencing in 1565. After obtaining his medical qualifications he was appointed professor of surgery and then later also anatomy. He practiced at the Hospital of Death and through this has access to bodies of executed prisoners for use in dissection. He improved on the work of Sicilian surgeon Branca and developed his own method of nasal reconstruction . One of his main publications was De Curtorum Chirurgia per Institionem (On the Surgery of Mutilation by Grafting) and its is from this work that he primarily receives the honour of being one of the first plastic surgeons.

Surgical reconstruction in the 16th Century.

$70.00

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D.H. Lawrence and the Body Mystical – Frederick Carter – First Edition 1932

An unusual book on aspects of Lawrence’s thinking and a fine production, printed in “Private Press Style” published by Denis Archer, London.

Largish octavo format, 63 pages with extra blanks. Frontispiece of D.H. Lawrence by the author who was a skilled etcher. Printed on sumptuous Japan Vellum. Bound quarter black cloth over lightly marbled paper covered boards. Design, partly in gilt to front with titles, gilt titles to spine. A little rubbed at the corners and a slight stain to one of the rear blanks otherwise a very good copy.

Frederick Carter (1885-1967) knew D.H. Lawrence very well … Lawrence would stay with Carter at his house in Shropshire. There they would share and develop their views on humanity. It was a time in Lawrence’s life that he was concerned with his health and the English cold and damp. He craved warmer climes. One of his favourite if not most favourite places was Mexico where he saw something unusual and special in the people.

Fine and worthwhile book on D.H. Lawrence by a man who knew him well.

$80.00

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A Living Voice of the Living Bush – William Ricketts – Wonderfully Annotated and Signed.

Colonel William Light – Founder of a City (Adelaide) – Dutton and Elder.

Sitting on Penguins [An Antarctic Diary] – Stephen Murray-Smith

The Seats and Causes of Diseases Investigated by Anatomy – Giovanni Battista Morgagni – 3 Fine Volumes

The Life and Times of Gaspare Tagliacozzo – Surgeon of Bologna (1545-1599)

D.H. Lawrence and the Body Mystical – Frederick Carter – First Edition 1932

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