Australiana

Bulldozer – Michael Terry – Rare – signed by Terry and with an interesting note by recipient.

Explorer adventurer Michael Terry was excluded from the War effort in WWII because of previous health issues and maybe he was getting on. This did not stop him assisting the war effort of the N.S.W. Department of Main Roads. After all, at the time he was likely Australia’s most notable modern inland adventurer. On one of his famous 1920’s expedition he drove a Model T Ford from Queensland to Broome in WA. His further explorations by camel and tractor gave rise to several highly collectable travel accounts.

Published by the State Government in 1945. Perfect bound, decorative card covers, 260 pages, illustrated from period photographs. Super scarce … no other obvious copies available. Signed boldly by Terry near front. A little age as you would expect, still a very good copy.

The premise of the book may sound a bit dull. Fear not the NSW infrastructure people had quite different role because of the War and assisting communication throughout Australia was one of them and it did not stop there … with involvement in Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific etc. Terry has a style, reflected in his earlier writing ‘Across Unknown Australia” etc that takes you to the moment of his adventures and observations, many references to individuals and their exploits. We also have the bombing of Darwin and the making of the Brisbane Line difficulties with a Diving Bell etc.

At front is a very interesting note likely by the recipient “Beau” …. “Michael Terry was my friend. He served as a Marine in Russia in the war subsequent to WWI [Terry was an armoured car driver – he was captured and narrowly escaped execution by the Bolsheviks] … he travelled inland Australia and wrote about it. He was a F.R.G.S … He would now be at least 100 … 24th October 77 …” and other reminiscences. The writer quite wrong about Terry’s age, he would have been 78 at the time this note was written … time has a way of clouding the memory.

Michael Terry a scarce and unusual account …

$80.00

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Richard Siddins of Port Jackson [Australian Maritime History] – Lyndon Rose.

Published by Roebuck in 1984 a nice production, larger format, 152 pages, Illustrated, end paper maps. A very good copy.

Richard Siddins was a merchant sea captain who sailed out of Port Jackson from 1804 to 1822. He operated sealing expeditions to the Antarctic Oceans; gathered sandalwood; carried cargo to India and China. Within all this he experienced more adventure seeking gold from a wrecked privateer; taking care at a cannibal feast; chased by Tongan war canoes; wrecked off Macquarie Island … it was all in a day’s work for Captain Siddins.

Hinted above amongst all this was an important early voyage to the South Shetland Islands.

Early Australian Maritime History.

$35.00

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Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Well for those that have not been there, Stanley with its impossible to miss “Nut” is one of the most picturesque places you are likely to come across. And, steeped in history being a very early settlement associated with Australia’s first major corporation the Van Diemen’s Land Co.

Soft cover, landscape, 68 pages with a page of narrative followed by a sketch throughout. A super reference and keepsake for any Stanley lover.

Beautiful historic Stanley and Artist’s record.

$30.00

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Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

An interesting and enlightening book published as a quality book by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association in 1987.

Tall octavo, 188 pages, produced by Dan Sprod’s Blubber Press. Illustrated with images from early photographs, maps, colour frontispiece of the Old Government House. An excellent copy bar previous name tipped out on a free end paper.

The official and unofficial companions include … Martha Hayes, Maria Lord, Mary Geils, Margaret Davey, Lady Franklin [of course], Caroline Denison and many more. Well researched and written, a book about strong women and their role up front and behind the scenes.

Governor’s got the glory – but what about the women alongside them.

$50.00

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Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

A rare book published by Watson and Ferguson, Brisbane in 1949. George Cooling was a pupil and later Master at the illustrious Brisbane Boys Grammar. Written with a hint of Wodehouse; he may certainly qualify as a “Villian”… with his frank expose of goings on … with often tongue planted firmly in cheek. The story of the teaching of sex education and the parents attempts with the birds and the bees is very funny … young boy at Church wedding of his elder sister shouts out to his mother … “When is he going to give her his pollen?” .. priceless.

Octavo, 254 pages, a trifle cocked as with all W & F books, very clean and with a very good dust jacket. The odd cartoon illustration by McClure.

The art on the dust jacket is really super and makes the book. For those that know the history of Pink Floyd, think of the Cartoon images drawn by the great Gerald Scarfe to accompany “One More Brick in the Wall” … was this the inspiration? Doubt it, but what a coincidence. “Hey Teacher Leave us Kids Alone”.

Essential Grammar related book … but any Brisbanite will love and cherish it.

$60.00

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Joseph Mason – assigned Convict 1831-1837 – Edited by Kent and Townsend.

Published by the Melbourne University Press, a fine copy of the first edition 1996. Octavo, 182 pages with end paper maps. Gift inscription on half title otherwise clean as a whistle.

Joseph Mason was transported to New South Wales, one of many who protested against the mechanisation of agriculture … threshing machines.

The large part of this book is his Memoir of goings on a wonderful insight into the Colony … referencing encounters with aboriginal people and good descriptions of convict “assignments” around Sydney, Parramatta and Campbelltown and explorations along the Nepean River.

Good introductory chapters with contributions from David Kent as well as the industrious editors.

One of the more thorough and thoughtful convict accounts

$20.00

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Bulldozer – Michael Terry – Rare – signed by Terry and with an interesting note by recipient.

Richard Siddins of Port Jackson [Australian Maritime History] – Lyndon Rose.

Historic Stanley [North West Tasmania] – From Original Sketches by Marquerite Close – Signed by the author and artist.

Governor’s Ladies [The Wives and Mistresses of Van Diemen’s Land Governors] – Alison Alexander.

Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

Joseph Mason – assigned Convict 1831-1837 – Edited by Kent and Townsend.

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