Prestige Items

The Theory of Relativity. An Introductory Sketch based on Einstein’s Original Writings including a Biographical Note – Henry L Brose – 1920

Softcover, printed wrappers. Octavo, 32 pages with 3 diagrams in text, sewn as issued, slightly soiled and edge nibbles, still a good copy of the second edition of this important work in English concerning Einstein’s ground breaking Theory of Relativity. Published by Basil Blackwell, Oxford.

Published February 1920 the first printing being in December 1919, with alterations as set out in the Preface. We have provided an image of this element as its interesting to read that amendments had been made after having contact with Einstein.

Einstein’s theories, .. special and general, were published in Berlin between 1914 and 1916. This work by Brose was published before the full translations of Einstein’s work which first appeared in 1920. Brose completed the full translation for Methuen, London a work now worth many thousands of dollars.

Henry Herman Leopold Adolph Brose (1890-1965) was an Australian physicist. He was born in Adelaide went to Prince Alfred College and then the University in Mathematics .. Rhodes Scholar to Christ Church, Oxford. He went to Hamburg in 1914 to visit relatives and was interned for the duration of WWI. It was during that time that he became in the developing Theory of Relativity. War over and back at Oxford he completed his Degree in 1919 and translated Einstein’s work the year after. He later obtained his Doctorate on the motion of electrons in oxygen under Townsend. All top end stuff.

Brose had direct contact with Einstein, later in 1930 Einstein visited University establishments in England and Brose acted as his translator.

Early English language papers on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity by noted Australian Physicist at Oxford.

$90.00

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Relics for the Curious – Two Volumes – 1824

First Edition set near impossible to find. Printed by Samuel Burton Leadenhall Street, London in 1824.

Two small volumes, 184 pages, 168 pages, frontispiece to both. Bound in contemporary olive half calf, spines gilt with double red leather labels. Lightly rubbed a pretty clean and bright set.

A collection of most peculiar anecdotes. The Literary Magnet of the time praised the contents and demonstrated their approbation of them by making copious extracts available in their rag.

Classifies as anecdotes, clerical, professional and miscellaneous and compounded by “singular customs” and “extracts from remarkable wills”.

Very unusual books for the well read and broadly based historian … facts contained in here designed to liven any dull dinner party … “Did you know that …”

Relics … well anecdotes really of some strange historical happenings.

$180.00

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Northward over the “Great Ice”. A Narrative of Life and Work Along the Shores and upon the Interior ice-Cap of Northern Greenland in the Years 1886 and 1891-1897. In Two Volumes. Robert E Peary. First Edition 1898.

Even longer title continues …With a Description of the Little Tribe of Smith-Sound Eskimos, the Most Northerly Human Beings in the World, and an Account of the Discovery and Bringing Home of the “Saviksue,” or Great Cape-York Meteorites, with maps, diagrams and about eight hundred illustrations.

American Polar hero Peary in the North of Greenland. Eventually Peary would claim the North Pole in 1909 contested by Frederick Cook. Over time Peary was generally given the recognition but in recent years, on further analysis, the barometer is swinging back to Cook. Cook and Greely participated in the adventures covered here.

Peary was sponsored by the US Navy and eventually given the rank of Commander. He went North many times and this account of two of those adventures, is enthralling. Well written and nicely summarised in the lengthy title.

Published by Frederick Stokes, New York in 1898. Two quarto volumes printed on heavy paper stock, lxxx, 521 pages and xiv, 625 pages. Many illustrations as advertised one large folding image of Meteorite island, numerous maps – one large and folding at the rear. Bound in original blue cloth with decoration to front, spines faded as usual with this set, binding holding firm, a pretty good example, and very clean inside.

An expansive work containing much information about the natives of northern Greenland and an expedition to McCormick Bay which confirmed that Greenland was an island. Peary would learn much about Inuit survival that he would take forward to his later expeditions. He also took an Inuit mistress who he would later return to Greenland in 1909. There is also much about the Cape-York meteorites and an absolute monster at over 34 tonnes. Local Inuit had been using shards of the many meteorites to make tools and weapons so who knows how big they were originally.

Robert Peary substantial work of Arctic Exploration and Ethnology in Northern Greenland

$320.00

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400 Year Old Map of Portugal – Portugallia – Cartrographer Jodocus Hondius Jnr for Geographer Petrus Bertius – 1616

A striking copper engraved miniature map of Portugal engraved by Jodocus Hondius Junior to illustrate a geography book by Petrus Bertius published in Amsterdam in 1616. Bertius was only responsible for the Latin text what was titled “Tabularum Geographicarum Contractarum”.

The maps in this work were miniature renditions of the maps contained in the famous folio atlas by Gerard Mercator and Jodocus Hondius Senior.

The maps are considered by authority Geoffrey King as the most beautiful set of miniature maps ever. Scarce.

On the death of Jodocus Hondius Junior in 1629 the miniature map plates came into the possession of William J Blaeu who used them in his own version in 1635.

Printed area 12.5cm by 9.0cm, with fine wash colouring. An attractive engraving with good detail. The map is aligned with North to the right [Not unsual for the period for maps to be presented this way]. With swash lettering, cartouche and distance scale.

We have included an additional image of the map aligned North to the top for those confused by the “horizontal” presentation. Also, we have provided an image of the title page of Tabularum Geographicarum … taken from Geoffrey King’s reference. We have a copy of King’s book for sale for those interested in collecting and/or understanding the history behind the creation of beautiful small scale maps.

Price $160.00 unframed … $280.00 framed in Voyager miniature map style.

High quality map of Portugal from 1616

$140.00

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A Palm Beach – Original Pochoir by George Barbier – Gazette du Bon Ton -1921

An original hand coloured “Pochoir” by George Barbier (1882-1932) the most desirable artist that contributed to Paris Gazette du Bon Ton.

This pochoir published in Paris in 1921.

“A Palm Beach” Tailleur de Worth. The costume from the famous Paris based House of Worth which operated between 1857 and 1956. A three piece outfit in red poplin with a chiffon bodice covered in blue lace; the jacket embroidered in navy.

Price $160.00 unframed.

Much sought after George Barbier

$160.00

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My Fourth Tour in Western Australia – Albert F Calvert – Illustrated Walker Hodgson – First Edition 1897 – A Presentation Copy and Interesting Provenence

A first edition of Calvert’s most impressive book published in 1897. A presentation copy from publisher William Heinemann, London to Herbert Ingram … compliments slip bound in at title page.

The illustrator Walker Hodgson completed the tour and is described by Calvert in his Preface as “the Lion of the Party”.

The copy was later purchased by Victor Deuters and gifted to his son David. Deuters was a close acquaintance of the illustrator, Walker Hodgson. The book contains a copy letter from Hodgson to Victor … for the purposes of the gift to his son. Hodgson’s in true “artistic hand” runs to four sides, mentions david as a little boy, many reminiscences and then a lengthy section on this Calvert book … where it can be found; contents; his involvement in illustrations and also contributing the last two chapters; its good reception at the time etc. Hodgson refers to himself as “the Old Scarecrow” obviously feeling his age and signing of with a scarecrow decoration at signature. The letter is dated 1940 and he concludes “We can hear the sounds of War from here, quite clearly!”

Large quarto, xxvi, 359 pages, catalogue. Tissue guarded frontispiece portrait of Calvert, ten plates – some double page, 400 in text illustrations. Coloured folding map of Western Australia showing the Gold Fields, minor tape repair at map hinge. Half bound dark blue over lighter blue cloth covered boards, gilt title front and spine. A really nice clean and bright copy.

In the 1890’s Calvert became and authority on Australia and published important books about its early discovery and exploration. His works on western Australia are unique and based on his own experiences. He first cam to Australia in 1890 in the company of his grandfather and perhaps his father, both of whom were involved in mining. Their first trip under the umbrella of the General Exploration Company was largely unsuccessful. Further trips ensued with greater success … this the fourth trip the most expansive and best recorded. The illustrations, particularly of mining towns and activity are special.

Sir Herbert Ingram was the 2nd Baronet Ingram. His grandfather founded the Illustrated London News which his father later managed. The lithographed bookplate carries an image by Alphonse Mucha maybe the most sought after illustrator of the period.

Calvert’s superior book on Western Australia and Mining with a special enchanting provenance.

$690.00

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The Theory of Relativity. An Introductory Sketch based on Einstein’s Original Writings including a Biographical Note – Henry L Brose – 1920

Relics for the Curious – Two Volumes – 1824

Northward over the “Great Ice”. A Narrative of Life and Work Along the Shores and upon the Interior ice-Cap of Northern Greenland in the Years 1886 and 1891-1897. In Two Volumes. Robert E Peary. First Edition 1898.

400 Year Old Map of Portugal – Portugallia – Cartrographer Jodocus Hondius Jnr for Geographer Petrus Bertius – 1616

A Palm Beach – Original Pochoir by George Barbier – Gazette du Bon Ton -1921

My Fourth Tour in Western Australia – Albert F Calvert – Illustrated Walker Hodgson – First Edition 1897 – A Presentation Copy and Interesting Provenence

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