Non-fiction

Operation Cicero – the Espionage Sensation of the War – L.C. Moyzisch – 1950

First edition published 1950 by Wingate, London. Octavo, 208 pages, a nice copy.

Written from a German perspective by Moyzisch who the Attache at the German Embassy in Ankara was. An “authenticity” post-script by Franz von Papen who was the Ambassador.

An Albanian, Elyesa Bazna, code named Cicero had rolls of film for sale about key British intelligence … the German’s paid up and the details of the Moscow, Cairo and Tehran conferences of the Allies were available to Hitler. However, what became of the information … and extraordinary spy account … once disbelieved but now authenticated.

Rare spy story published shortly after WWII

$40.00

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The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido for the Suppression of Piracy with Extracts from the Journal of James Brooke, Esq of Sarawak – Captain Henry Keppel – Two Volumes -1847

A third edition set of this Borneo classic published by Chapman and Hall, London in 1847 the year after the first. Preferred for the additional details particularly the new chapter on recent intelligence by Walter Kelly.

It is the second half of the title that explains the importance of these volumes. Brooke had suggested the first part as the principal title maybe to underplay his hand.

James Brooke (1803-1868) was an extraordinary individual born into a colonial family and generally describe as soldier and adventurer. He was given the Raj of Sarawak in Borneo, by the Sultan of Brunei, as a reward for quelling an uprising and driving pirates from the region. He ruled with an iron fist from 1842-1868. There is much more to his story than can be written here … he knew Alfred Russell Wallace and influenced his decision to conduct extensive natural history researches in the region culminating in the evolutionary evidence giving rise to the naming of the “Wallace Line”.

James Brooke is behind the character in Joseph Conrad’s “Lord Jim” and the “White Rajah” of Nicholas Monsarrat. Charles Kingsley dedicated “Westward Ho” to the man and Errol Flynn planned to star as Brooke in a film written by himself although it was never made.

The author of this work, Captain Henry Keppel had sailed the Dido to Borneo in 1843. His crew became heavily involved in resisting attacks by Lanoon pirates.

Two royal octavo, volumes, 429 and 315 pages after preliminaries. Bound in morocco with separate title and volume labels gilt on black leather, raised bands etc. Nicely illustrated with 11 tinted lithographic plates, 6 folding maps and a chart. A little pale foxing otherwise very good copies of this interesting account. Carries the bookplate of Walter Jeffrey, early writer of maritime novels and historical accounts.

The Dido in and Around Borneo and the Journals of Adventure and first Sultan of Sarawak – James Brooke

$590.00

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The ABT Railway and Railways of the Lyell region [Tasmania] – Lou Rae

This is no 130 of a limited number of 500 hardbound copies. Signed by the author and annotated to “Frank the man with a bit on the side” – wink wink humour. Self-published in 1994 at a standard above the usual self-publish. Very good condition albeit minor crease to dust jacket back.

Folio presentation, 94 pages with near to two hundred images from period photographs [many coloured], good maps and diagrams.

Lou Rae is the man when it comes to writing about Tasmanian railway systems and this one does him proud.

Western Tasmania Mt Lyell Railways in all their glory – super book

$70.00

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Hornblower and the Hotspur – C.S. Forester – First Edition 1962

First edition published by Michael Joseph, London in 1962. Octavo, 266 pages, blue cloth covered boards, very good dust jacket, top page edge toned otherwise very clean.

The tenth volume in the Hornblower series and we make it third in chronological order. The last finished Hornblower novel “Crisis” being incomplete at Forester’s death.

Set in 1803 with war with France imminent Hornblower is promoted to Commander and given the Sloop HMS Hotspur. Sent off to enforce the blockade at Brest … does his usual super job not without difficulty and danger. Cornwallis considers him for promotion to Post-Captain … a position achieved when he executes his plan to deliver false documents to the French … it all had a bearing on “Trafalgar”.

Hornblower’s career develops with bravery and cunning

$40.00

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Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

Another Plomley rarity we don’t expect to see again for a long time.

Published as part of the Records of the Queen Victoria Museum in 1990.

Soft cover, 50 pages, with charts etc all in fine condition.

Baudin spent three days circumnavigation Maria Island in February 1802. Francois Peron was zoologist but also made meteorological, geomorphic, botanical observation – a multi faceted scientist was Peron.

Peron knew his stuff when it came to Maria.

$30.00

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The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

Another special book by Brian Plomley with the help of Josiane Pirad- Bernier. Now very scarce.

Large wide octavo, 378 pages, illustrated. Published by the Launceston Museum in 1993. A solid quality production in near fine condition.

Very well researched and written book on the Bruny d’Entrecasteaux and his visits to Tasmania.

Covers the preparations for the voyage and the officers of the Recherche and Esperance, and among other things their scientific work [Natural History, Geological, Botanical and Zoological].

Also includes as appendices the journals of Louis Ventenat and the botanist Louis Dechamps.

Rare collectable D’Entrecasteaux – more than a channel.

$140.00

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Operation Cicero – the Espionage Sensation of the War – L.C. Moyzisch – 1950

The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido for the Suppression of Piracy with Extracts from the Journal of James Brooke, Esq of Sarawak – Captain Henry Keppel – Two Volumes -1847

The ABT Railway and Railways of the Lyell region [Tasmania] – Lou Rae

Hornblower and the Hotspur – C.S. Forester – First Edition 1962

Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

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