Books on books

Atlas of Atlases – Phillip Allen

Super book for a generalist interest in early cartography. Great foundation.

Published by Bounty Books in 2005. A substantial book, large squarish quarto, 160 pages, magnificently illustrated as one would expect. A near fine copy.

Too large for our scanner I am afraid, so the image is cropped RHS.

Takes a chronological approach – Classical, Medieval the Era of Exploration, the Dutch, the Empires and the Modern Age.

Narrative very readable and information but it’s the numerous relevant, high-quality illustrations that makes this the tops.

A super education in one book

$40.00

Updating cart…

Paris – Alvin Eiger – Wattle Grove Press – Limited Number Edition No 128 of 300 Copies – Hand Made Private Press – Tasmania.

See out other item re the Wattle Grove Press, Newham, Tasmania. Limited edition, few overall printings, hand-made books mainly publishing the works of Alvin Eiger [Rolf Hennequel].

This is numbered 128 of a limited edition of 300 copies all announced as printed on glare-free eucalyptus paper made in Tasmania, published in 1960.

Initialled by the author at the limitation in his own name not nom de plume.

Large format 30cm by 20cm. Stiff card covers, with several inner blank protective cover, tired to edges, art form paper title pasted to front [we have seen some variations even within only 300 – ours preferred, naturally].

Alvin [or Rolf] travelled extensively before settling in Tasmania – he was multilingual at a high standard.

This book 34 pages one side printed unusual bold font is devoted to Paris. Other booksellers having read each other blurb focus on its interest in the seedy side of the City of Light. It is not like that at all, it’s a lengthy observation and part tour of the most interesting elements with place, history and purpose being the underlying subject. We love it, a sophisticated view that tells a story too, making it very readable and somewhat unique. No smutty here.

Unusual Collectable Tasmanian Private Press and all about Paris

$140.00

Updating cart…

Special Ephemeral item – The Wattle Grove Press – Newnham Tasmania – Promotional Item – 1960’s

The Wattle Grove Press at 69 George Town, Newnham, Tasmania published the books of Albin Eiger is limited edition.

Albin Eiger was the pen name of Professor Rolf Hennequel (1895-1971) who travelled the world before settling in Tasmania in 1951. The press commenced in the early 1960’s before illness forced its closure in 1969.

The works were so beautiful printed on rich hand-made paper with bold typescript, limitations varied but were extremely tight, sometimes a maximum of fifty.

This document is printed on the thickest of hand-made paper – has a vellum like feel. Large format 34 cm by 22 cm, printed only three pages printed one side only, folded.

It ends with and interesting note … “All books from our Press are printed, illustrated and bound by hand, and exhibit the advantages and, also disadvantages – which work of this kind is thought to possess in the machine age”.

And then references the Library National of France who have clearly taken a liking “the books of the W.G.P. are unique pieces of literature, and unique attempts at printing”

See our copy of “Paris” from the Wattle Grove Press.

Rare Tasmanian Private Press Ephemera – the Wattle Grove Press

$40.00

Updating cart…

Armorial Book-Plates. Their Romantic Origin and Artistic Development – Signed limited edition [Includes Mawson's Bookplate] Neville Barnett – published in 1932

Sought after reference and a beauty in itself.

Unusual faux snake-skin binding. Excellent condition 172 pages. Signed numbered limited edition of 300 copies.

With numerous book-plate illustrations with 17 tipped in originals from those of great fame (our favourite being that of Polar Explorer Douglas Mawson).

Chapters on the Origins of Armory; the Age of Chivalry; the Pageant of Heraldry; the Romance of Arms; German, French and British Book-plates the latter extensive and importantly Australian and New Zealand Armorial Book-plates.

Collectable work from the doyen of Australian Bookplates – Neville Barnett – Numbered Limited Signed edition with Sir Douglas Mawson’s bookplate.

$190.00

Updating cart…

Sea Change – Alone Across the Atlantic – Peter Nichols

Published by Viking a first edition 1997. Octavo, 238 pages. Very good if not fine condition.

A different sailing book. There are no pictures or maps here. Maybe therefore it is not surprising that the writing is special. Peter Nichols sailed with his wife. Sadly, they separated after a west to east Atlantic crossing. This book reflects on his single-handed return voyage in the 27-foot engineless “Toad” which had a habit of springing leaks.

Interspersed throughout are references to classic sailing accounts … Chichester, Blyth, Moitessier, Knox-Johnston, Ridgway et al.

Interesting for an experienced maritime reader most useful of an introductee.

Nichols a personal challenge – knowledgeable author.

$25.00

Updating cart…

Fire-Bird – A Study of D.H. Lawrence – Dallas Kenmare – First Edition 1951

A quality book on D.H.L. published by James Barrie, London a First Edition in 1951.

The author Dallas Kenmare was fascinated by the poetry of Lawrence and it’s the great man’s poetry that is the focus of this unique book. Written in 1951 so before Penguin had a shot at publishing Lady Chatterly’s Lover – Kenmare has a view on that prospect which is a tad old-fashioned to modern views.

Slim octavo, 81 pages, all in very good condition with a nice example of the dark fire-bird dust jacket.

D.H. Lawrence get to know the man better with Fire-Bird [Reference Lawrence Phoenix] …

$30.00

Updating cart…

Atlas of Atlases – Phillip Allen

Paris – Alvin Eiger – Wattle Grove Press – Limited Number Edition No 128 of 300 Copies – Hand Made Private Press – Tasmania.

Special Ephemeral item – The Wattle Grove Press – Newnham Tasmania – Promotional Item – 1960’s

Armorial Book-Plates. Their Romantic Origin and Artistic Development – Signed limited edition [Includes Mawson's Bookplate] Neville Barnett – published in 1932

Sea Change – Alone Across the Atlantic – Peter Nichols

Fire-Bird – A Study of D.H. Lawrence – Dallas Kenmare – First Edition 1951

Product Categories