Curiosities

Kauri Gum Hair Pieces – Late 19thC early 20thC

Rare and unusual outside museums. See example only at the Kauri Museum, Metakohe, New Zealand.

The Kauri Pine associated with New Zealand and Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. The trees were harvested in North Island New Zealand for boat building and along with that its unusual gum was collected. At one time Kauri gum was Aukland’s biggest export. Over harvesting almost killed them off and now they are protected.

One of the oddest uses was the making of blonde simulated hair. This was dome by placing a piece of gum onto a heated plate. After a few second it was slowly lifted off. Fine strands formed as the gum was taken away. While still warm this could be arranged or plaited into this mock hair style. If become fragile another reason why examples are hard to come across.

Several groups in a shed made display cabinet approximately 44cm wide.

A postage supplement may be required dependent of any buyers location … don’t be shy ask us to quote best rates.

One of the most unusual curiosities we have ever sold – Kauri Gum Hair

$340.00

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The Forbidden erotica of Thomas Rowlandson 1756-1827.

With and introduction and text by Kurt von Meier.

First edition published by the Hogarth Guild, California [of all places] in 1970. Quarto, 187 pages illustrated throughout in colour from the exquisite colour risque engravings from the Master.

Thomas Rowlandson (13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. Prolific artist and printmaker; like others of his era, such as James Gillray, his caricatures are often rather bawdy. And there was also highly explicit erotica for his private clientele; never published publicly and now only found in “special” collections.

Rowlandson and his take on the naught Georgian and they were … surprise your friends …

$160.00

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Tasmania’s Strange Story – 1929

A history of Tasmania published under the auspices of the “Come to Tasmania” Organisation by Lelsie Norman Sec.

Soft cover, 100 pages, losses at front edge and across spine, otherwise a good copy of a fragile item approaching 100 years old.

Stacked with period advertisements at front and back. We particularly like to see the Springs Hotel up Mt wellington, which burned down in the big fire; Beattie’s photography studio, and lots of beer and chocolates.

The history is a good one and when it comes to the bad treatment of the aboriginals does not from excuses and is pretty sympathetic with their plight.

We like this one …

Interesting History of Tasmania – succinct but fairly full and frank.

$30.00

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Battery Point Sketch Book – Fearn Rowntree – First Edition 1951

Sister of Amy Rowntree (Battery Point Today etc) this shows off the enchanting architectural sketches form hand of Fearn.

Landscape, softcover, booklet printed at the Mercury, Hobart. No date but considered 1951. 48 pages with circa toward 200 sketches.

Some interesting examples such as a glimpse of the Prince of Wales before they knocked it down and built the current monstrosity; a nice glimpse between the houses on Marine Terrace showing a glimpse of actual activity in the Purden and Featherstone Shipyards below; lots of interesting knobs and an Arthur’s Circus with young people playing!

A prize sketch book from the other Rowntree

$40.00

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Three 19thC Prepared Microscope Slides of Australian Diatomaceae by J.D. Moller

Three fascinating early microscope slides by preparer Johann Diedrich Moller (1844-1907). The most talented and famous preparer of diatom slides of all time.

Three slides carrying a relatively early version of his distinctive slide labels.

His makers label announcing – Gold Medal St Petersburg & Altona 1869 J.D. Moller Wedel in Holstein [Germany].

The slide subjects being Diatomaceae and further labelled.

Fossils – South Australia
Fossils – South Yarra
Aqua Marina – Carpentaria Gulf Australia.

Fine examples of historical significance, likely harvested during one of the scientific and surveying voyages of the second half of the 19thC.

Price $190.00 the group – if you would like an individual one they will be $80.00 each. Send us a message through our enquiry page.

Postage costs likely to be reduced on final billing.

A trifecta of rather unique 19thC slides top maker and Australian subjects.

$180.00

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Manuscript Pharmacy Dispensing Journal – Hobart 1929-1931

Large cloth backed ledger recording the precise details of prescriptions diligently recorded against each patients name and cross referenced to a list of individuals at the front. 502 pages of prescriptions and the many receivers listed in an alphabetical construction as the front. Nice condition- entries in a strong legible hand.

42cm tall by 18cm and 5cm thick a fair weight so not suitable for Overseas. Red leather title label.. some scribbled names which do not seem to correlate with the J.R.R. and M.B and A.E.G. of the dispensing chemists.

The date range 1929 etc is right on the bell for the discovering of penicillin … antibiotics in the broader structure coming much later. So here we still have a host of syrups and powders and the Elixir Simplex … and chloroform (for personal use?) and a grand mixture of lead and opioid products.

Interesting Pharmaceutical Record approaching 100 years.

$170.00

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Kauri Gum Hair Pieces – Late 19thC early 20thC

The Forbidden erotica of Thomas Rowlandson 1756-1827.

Tasmania’s Strange Story – 1929

Battery Point Sketch Book – Fearn Rowntree – First Edition 1951

Three 19thC Prepared Microscope Slides of Australian Diatomaceae by J.D. Moller

Manuscript Pharmacy Dispensing Journal – Hobart 1929-1931

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