Australiana

Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land – Eustace Fitz-Symonds – Limited No 90 of 500

Published by Sullivans Cove, 1977 title continues … A Collection of choice petitions, memorials and letters of protest and request from the convict colony of Van Diemen’s Land; written by divers person’s both eminent and lowly.

A fine copy of a folio edition limited to 500 (this being no 90) carrying the bookplate of collector Harold Royle. Dust jacket now protected in fine condition. Mortmain (Dead Hand)

A veritable potpourri of historical documents of interest and humour. A goldmine of stories, both grave and gay, of those early days in the history of Tasmania when men and women practised terrible savageries on each other.

Members of the convict community had to obtain permission to marry. When Norah Corbett petitioned Governor Arthur for permission to marry Jorgen Jorgensen, the police magistrate of the Oatlands District, R. Anstey, warned Jorgensen his ruin was inevitable if he married the woman, as the woman was much addicted to liquor and had a propensity to beat and scratch the back of her lover when she was intoxicated. Arthur allowed them to marry on the condition they exchange vows that they would love and cherish each other from that day forward to the exclusion of all others.

As a contrast – a letter from John Gould listing the marsupial specimens he would like (including the Thylacine in male and female form) and that he would pay for the effort involved.

And many, many more

Real history in fine condition

A heavy book that will require an overseas freight supplement … please enquire

$80.00

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Governor Phillip in Retirment – Sir Frederick Chapman – Ed George Mackaness – Limited to 200 Copies and Boldly Signed by Mackaness

Original narrative by Sir Frederick Chapman. Here presented edited with an introduction, notes and commentary by noted historian George Mackaness. Published in 1962 this soft covered collectable was limited issue of only 200 copies all signed and numbered by Mackaness. This copy being number 11 nicely signed and complete as original.

Sir Frederick Chapman’s family knew Phillip in his later years – Mackaness uncovered previously unpublished material which adds to his usual well researched offering.

Governor Phillip More of his Illustrious Life

$40.00

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The Australian and Californian Gold Discoveries and Their Probable Consequences; or, An Inquiry Into the Laws Which Determine the Value and Distribution of the Precious Metals – Patrick Stirling F.R.S.E

With Historical Notices of the Effects of the American Mines on European Prices in the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth Centuries.

Published by Greenwood Press of New York in 1969. Facsimile reprint of the 1853 Oliver & Boyd first edition. Original blue cloth binding, with gilt titles. Issued without a dust jacket. Folding frontispiece of the value of precious metals gained showing the impact great discoveries of the 1840’s.

An important book comprising an economic discourse on gold and the history of coinage, comparison with silver, and the economics effects of the Australian and California gold discoveries.

Important gold book with early Australian content

$40.00

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“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

This detailed inquiry considers the facts of the ‘Jason‘ case.

Capt. John William Coath, master of the Jason was convicted of kidnapping nine men a short distance from the island of Api and removing them to Maryborough, Queensland, taking them by force out of a canoe, which was afterword hauled aboard the boat and destroyed.

The inquiry results from a petition put forward by 390 men for the remission of Capt. Coath’s sentence, five years imprisonment in Brisbane Gaol. The petition consists of correspondence and testimony under the Oath’s Act 1867 from crewmen and from two of the alleged kidnapping victims.

$60.00

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Captain James Cook and His Times – Fisher and Johnston

Published by ANU Press canberta in 1979 a very good near fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

Cook from a different perspective and well researched and worthwhile. Interplay with Dalrymple, the geography of Northwest America, the Spanish reaction to his endeavours and his reputation in Russia .. and much more.

Another view of Cook and a good one

$35.00

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Wrecks of Port Phillip – Williams & Serle

Published by Maritime Historical Productions a great authority in the field – Melbourne 1964 and in pretty good condition.

There is a lot of wreckage in Port Phillip Bay. This expert account creates a superb reference to the major wrecks (and minor summarised). Really well illustrated with early engravings and photographs of many of the fateful vessels

Reference to the Wrecks

$50.00

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Mortmain – Van Diemen’s Land – Eustace Fitz-Symonds – Limited No 90 of 500

Governor Phillip in Retirment – Sir Frederick Chapman – Ed George Mackaness – Limited to 200 Copies and Boldly Signed by Mackaness

The Australian and Californian Gold Discoveries and Their Probable Consequences; or, An Inquiry Into the Laws Which Determine the Value and Distribution of the Precious Metals – Patrick Stirling F.R.S.E

“Inquiry into the ‘Jason’ Case” – Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command – 1873

Captain James Cook and His Times – Fisher and Johnston

Wrecks of Port Phillip – Williams & Serle

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