Non-fiction

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1892

Printed at the “Mercury” Steam Press Office and published 1893.

A interesting journal. Much about fish, probably the most comprehensive account of Tasmanian estuary and fresh water fish to date. Interesting note on the Derwent Hand-Fish which is described as not uncommon – reference made to Mrs Meredith’s painting of the hand-fish which she uses to illustrate her book Tasmanian friends and Foes.

Nice paper of Silurian Trilobites [or bits of then] in the Mersey region by Robert Etheridge Jnr [Voyager paleo hero … he is now at the British Museum references samples sent to his famous Dad of the same name. Nice plate of the Trilobites and Silurian Mollusca similarly found.

Paper on Antachini [marsupial shrew] first one found in Tasmanian.

The accounts always make interesting reading … the Society has financial responsibility for the Museum [annual spend GBP282 and the Botanical gardens GBP700] cash in the bank at year end was GBP27!

Interesting reference early on to the first telephone demonstration from the Society rooms rooms to Battery Point and Mount Nelson – 20mls – everyone fairly astonished.

Original soft wrappers, xlvi pages followed by 178 pages of papers, followed by tables and the annual reports and accounts, list of Fellows etc A very solid edition with good content. Very good condition.

Fish and Fossils and the first telephone trial

$90.00

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Bert Hinkler [Pioneer Aviator] Centenary Medal 1892-1992

Born at Bundaberg, Queensland in 1892, Bert Hinkler would become one of the World’s greatest pioneer aviators.

He completed the first solo flight from England to Australia in February 1928. In that year, a medal was struck to recognise that feat. He went on to be the first to fly across the Southern Atlantic but sadly died in aircraft crash in Italy in 1933.

This medal is a replica of the 1928 medal, and it was produced as a souvenir of the centenary of his birth.

Still in its original velvet covered box it measures 40mm across and 33gm with high relief to both sides. Displays a head and shoulders portrait of the great man in his flying cap of the day and on the reverse a nice map representing the flight – the narrative noting it was completed in 16 days.

Hard to find, for some reason, we do not know who struck the medal.

Bert Hinkler outstanding Australian pioneer aviator

$70.00

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The Dental Hospital of London and the London School of Dental Surgery – Calendar 1881

Published in 1881 the Calendar for that 1881-1882 academic year being everything you need to know in setting out to become a fully qualified Dentist of the day – the process that is not the technical detail.

Blue paper wrappers with image of the Dental Hospital at the front – and a warning re new regulations at the rear. 46 pages, saddle stitched. A little chipped as can been seen but really quite special for its age and fragility.

The London Dental Hospital was founded in 1859 a Soho Square. In 1874 it moved to Leicester Square – the School had 70-80 students on its books at the time of this document so you can imagine how scarce they are.

Contents include … Officers; Demonstrations; Dresserships; Lectures; Medical Tutor’s Classes; Fees [15 Pounds as up! 2,300 todays worth – not bad]; Prizes, Rules and regulations; Harmonised Scheme of Attendance – with other Hospitals; memberships; Fellowships; Past students etc.

Really rather interesting as an early piece of “dental ephemera”.

Dentistry schooling – wellorganised in 1881 and relatively affordable compared with today

$60.00

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Artificial Teeth – adapted on an entirely new and improved system of Painless Dentistry – G.H. Jones Surgeon Dentist.

Paper covered booklet published in 1878, printed by Arless Andrews, Museum Street, London for the surgeon author. 64 pages, saddle stitched, dense type – loads of content. The rather special front cover give one lots more background.

George Horatio Jones was a prominent surgeon dentist of the period. He had superior premises at 57 Great Russell Street, opposite the British Museum. He had won prize medals [London, Paris and New York] for his artificial teeth and was awarded Her Majesty’s [Victoria] Royal Letters Patent.

Nice enough image of the premises as frontispiece. List of Jones’s numerous appointments on Title.

This is not a trade catalogue but a monograph on teeth. Contents include after introductory remarks … Dentition; Irregularity of Teeth; Decay; Tooth-ache; Extraction; Nitrous Oxide; Scurvy, abscess etc; Artificial teeth; Mode of Fixing; General Construction of Dentures; Cleft Palate …

Finishing with a narrative “Visit to the Factory” and numerous distinguished testimonials.

Illustrated with a number of unusual artificial dental arrangements.

Very good if not better condition – a bit of a miracle for its age and inherent fragility. Very scarce no other copies appear available.

Dentistry and artificial teeth in their infancy … superb reference

$120.00

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Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Half length figure of Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757), facing with baton raised in the left hand, right hand outstretched. Inscribed around the edge “THE BRITISH GLORY REVIVE-D BY ADMIRAL VERNON”.

Reverse a view of the Port; six ships [of Vernon’s fleet” and two Spanish gun-boats. Inscribed below “BY COURAGE AND CONDUCT” and around the edge “HE TOOK PORTO BELLO WITH SIX SHIPS ONLY”.

Very good condition, 37mm weighing 19gm.

For those impressed but also confused by the elaborate artwork and extensive description … there is a whole world out there of collectors of Admiral Vernon medals, and the detailed description matters to identify the precise medal, there were quite a few types. He was pretty much admired for his success at capturing Porto Bello in November 1739 and he possibly became the most medal(ised) person in history.

The event was an early conflict in what became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. In 1738 Captain Robert Jenkins appeared before the House of Commons with his amputated ear which had been severed by the Spanish in the West Indies. This added to other stories of bad behaviour by the Spanish led to war. Veron, then Vice Admiral was in charge of the Jamaica Station. Vernon preferred small well armed fleets and his attack with only six vessels was seemed foolhardy by others … he succeeded and had a mountain named after him and the most fashionable street in London was named after the battle.

Vernon takes Porto Bello and gets one back for Jenkins’ Ear …

$180.00

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Rocks and Minerals of Australia – Oliver Chalmers

Published by Methuen in Australia a first edition 1976. Very good condition. 246 pages with lots of images, diagrams and maps. And with the striking Crocoite on the front board – see our examples on this website.

Or favourite “Observer Book” part of an Australian contribution to the series. A serious miniature work on the subject and the source of much of Voyager’s knowledge.

The detailed maps at the end and connectivity to the narrative open up the enormous subject to the newcomer

An expert in a day!

$30.00

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Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1892

Bert Hinkler [Pioneer Aviator] Centenary Medal 1892-1992

The Dental Hospital of London and the London School of Dental Surgery – Calendar 1881

Artificial Teeth – adapted on an entirely new and improved system of Painless Dentistry – G.H. Jones Surgeon Dentist.

Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Rocks and Minerals of Australia – Oliver Chalmers

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