Queensland

Headhunters of the Coral Sea – Ion Idriess – 1955

Idriess scarcity a tale for the young or the “young at heart”. Based on the true story of two young lads captured in the Coral Sea and their subsequent adventures. Based around the shipwreck of the Charles Eaton.

This is the new edition of 1955. Published by Angus and Robertson, octavo 207 pages, plus a list of the passengers and crew of the Charles Eaton and a chart of the cruise of the Isabella rescue ship. Within the text a chart of the Coral Sea – where the boys were wrecked.

Idriess – stories based on truth always have a special interest

$40.00

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The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

This is Ion idriess’s adaption of the incredible exploratory journey of the Jardine Brothers from Rockhampton all the way up to Somerset at the very tip of Cape York. They drove cattle all the way – their father already there by more comfortable means – he must have been a pretty confident parent. They had help of course but it was their termination that drove the party through – they didn’t all make it – it was pretty hostile on the way.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket a trifle worn – pretty good really and truly scarce.

Published by Angus and Robertson. Octavo, 222 pages, illustrated frontispiece of an attack on the party.

Idriess on the Jardines – a rare one.

$60.00

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Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

First published by Angus and Robertson in 1933. This is the new edition, 1949, Inscribed by the author “Cheerio and good luck Ion Idriess”.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket is worn and repaired along the folds, the odd chip but still has some grace .. we love the colourway on this one.

The “Drums of Mer” captures the charm of the Torres Strait Islands. As usual great images to accompany an Idriess book. A selection of chapter titles gives one a feel … When the Blood Lust calls; The Battle of the Fly; Velvet Claws; The Trouncing of Kebisu; Jakara Makes Love and The People of the Auwo Oromo. Mer (Murray Island) is sitting between Yule Entrance and Flinders Entrance closer to Papua New Guinea than Australia.

Rare Idriess superb writing signed by the author

$60.00

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The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

A very scarce dedication to Richard John Randall (1869-1906), Queensland Artist. As you can see he died early – of a suggested brain tumour. In such a short time he had produced an incredibly broad body of work – he was a poet also.

No date of publication, we can only find the National Library copy and they suggest with a ? 1919 – we think maybe 1907 because of a memoriam dated such, at the very back, from his father.

His father George was involved in immigration and spent quite some time in England. Richard accompanied him on an extended stay in early adulthood and studied under known English landscape masters .. Randall himself was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art for his “Hay Mill”.

His death was a tragic jolt for his father George who spent many years afterwards promoting his sons works – he commissioned this Catalogue of Works.

Softcover, 90 pages, illustrated throughout with images of the paintings and super images of his studios and the official collection of his works which were donated to a named gallery at the City Hall. Very good 12 page narrative appreciation to front.

There is a further story if you have the patience for it. Randall’s Studio was preserved in South Brisbane but came under pressure from developers in the 1990’s – the type that knocked things down in the night – then and still now. The top floor was preserved and it was moved by the Council – it then suffered from neglect and vandalism and was moved again to the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens – you can see it there near the car park.

John Randall perhaps up there for Queensland’s greatest artist taken early but left a lot.

$90.00

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Proud Intrepid Heart – Leichhardt’s First Attempt to the Swan River 1846-1847 – Dan Sprod – Signed, Limited Numbered Edition

Published by Blubber Press, Hobart in 1989. Quarto, 334 pages, well illustrated and printed on quality paper (Teton Warm White) by Griffin Press. A very good if not fine copy. Limited signed edition number 169 of 600.

This is Liechhardt’s second expedition after the successful mammoth exploration from the Darling Downs to Port Essington. This, an even more adventurous plan, was a failure and later members of his team were to write negatively about Leichhardt’s leadership.

This book contains his journals, published for the first time and presented so well by Dan Sprod. Drawing also on other unpublished accounts he attempts to set the record straight.

Leichhardt’s second … the real story … put so well

$60.00

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A Journalist’s Memories – Spencer Browne – Published in Brisbane 1927

Published in Brisbane in 1927 based on a series of articles published by the Courier Mail the year before.

An absolutely superb memoir covering Queensland notables and goings on over the period 1877 – 1926. The number of people included is monumental and the detail encyclopedic. Great book. Lots about goings on in the gold fields, robbery, explorers and their successes and failures and one or two corrections of commonly held facts.

Queensland recounted by the most able Spencer Browne – superb

$120.00

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Headhunters of the Coral Sea – Ion Idriess – 1955

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by the Author

The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

Proud Intrepid Heart – Leichhardt’s First Attempt to the Swan River 1846-1847 – Dan Sprod – Signed, Limited Numbered Edition

A Journalist’s Memories – Spencer Browne – Published in Brisbane 1927

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