Non-fiction

The Eastern Archipelago – Adams – First Edition 1880

… A description of the Scenery, Animal and Vegetable Life, People, and Physical Wonders of the Islands in the Easter Sea.

Published by Nelson, London in 1880 a first edition. Octavo, 576 pages with 54 illustrations.. Nicely decorated cover, a little rubbed, remnant od prize giving label in ends, still a good copy.

With the success of Wallace’s Malay Archipelago there was heightened interest in the islands of the East Indies. Prolific writer William Henry Davenport Adams saw an opportunity and compiled this easily read book on the region. Takes in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, Celebes, Sarawak, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Papua and the Philippines.

Special book on the very East and its many islands.

$90.00

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Travel and Sport in Turkestan [Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and a few more Stans] – Captain J.N. Price Wood – First edition 1910

First US edition published by Appleton, New York in 1910.

An adventure indeed in 1907 through Turkestan to the Thian [Tien] Shan Mountains on the borders of Mongolia taking in modern day Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and, as we say, a few more Stans.

Royal octavo, original gilt decorated red cloth covered boards, top edge gilt. 202 pages after xx preliminaries,100 illustrations from original photographs, two to a full-page plate. Folding map of the region. Previous owners name to front end paper, a little toned at the end papers, otherwise a very good copy.

Wood was stationed at Ambala in the Punjab from 1902 after the 12^th Lancers were posted there following the Boer War. He had plan to explore and hunt in Central Asia. However, a pass was required to use the Gilgit Road – any other route making the planned journey far too long. It already was 2,500 miles. Eventually his pass came through and he set off in 1907 – departure still had to be tuned as he had to make the Burzil Pass at 13,500 feet which could only be done between May and October.

Whilst there are guns going off at game [not really our cup of tea] the travel elements of this book make it more than worthy. Great insight into the regions at that time – Huza, Mintaka, Shikari, Hadji Tombs, Kok Su, Tekkes Valley, Kulja, Gorge of the Arpalik, Aksu River etc etc.

The quality coloured map and the photographs help you along the way very nicely.

By pony, camel and yak 2,500 miles to the Thian Shan

$390.00

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Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A superb quality late Victorian brass Direct Vision Spectroscope, of the “Rainband” variety.

The device includes a “train” of five alternating crown and flint glass prisms.

Made by Adam Hilger and his brother Otto who operated from Tottenham Court Road London from 1875 until 1916 when the business was taken over with the backing of Vickers.

Nicely engraved A Hilger London and in near fine condition protected in its original custom made brass canister.

Interestingly, Adam Hilger supplied one of the most advanced spectroscopes of the day to the Sydney Astronomical Observatory in 1878 to be used in conjunction with their Merz 7 ¼ inch refractor.

Neat Victorian Spectroscope top maker clear and true spectrum

$240.00

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A Thematic History of West Hobart – Godden Mackay Logan

Published in 2002 and based on work conducted by the author to assist in the Hobart Council Heritage Review of 2000.

Softcover, perfect bound, 66 pages. Numerous illustrations, town style plans etc to support the narrative.

A fairly rapid travel through the year since the beginning of European settlement – what surprised us was how quickly the area became developed and how active it must have been around the still beautiful “Crescent”

West Hobart – some history and not a bad place to “hang out”

$30.00

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Bass Strait Crossing – the Shipping History – David Hopkins

This is a fine copy of the second printing of David Hopkins delightful work on the ships that have crossed the Bass Strait.

Self published, set and with artwork and illustration by the author. Published in 1997.

Large format softcover, 36 pages, with a hundred or more images from period photographs. An enjoyable book for those with an interested – the trading ketches are our favourite – something special about their “romantic” rigging.

Surprise your friends with you knowledge of the Bass Strait and its history of shipping from the beginning to the modern (ish) days. No planning issues encountered!

$30.00

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Spy Catcher – Peter Wright – Former Assistant Director MI5

The greatest real expose of the activities of MI5 from technically adept Peter wright.

There was Philby and the “thing” the secret of all secret devices hidden within the American Great Seal. The bugging of the Egyptian cypher room. His greatest claim however was that Sir Roger Hollis was the “Fifth Man”.

Wright retired to Cygnet, Tasmania where he and his wife had a few acres and raised Arabian horses.

The struggle to get published and the various political heaviness are well understood.

Published by Heinemann in Australia in 1987, a first edition. Octavo, 392 pages, illustrated from photographs. Original owner name on end paper, closed tear top dust jacket otherwise a nice copy of this important book.

Spy Catcher – They couldn’t stop him …..

$35.00

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The Eastern Archipelago – Adams – First Edition 1880

Travel and Sport in Turkestan [Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and a few more Stans] – Captain J.N. Price Wood – First edition 1910

Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A Thematic History of West Hobart – Godden Mackay Logan

Bass Strait Crossing – the Shipping History – David Hopkins

Spy Catcher – Peter Wright – Former Assistant Director MI5

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