Books on books

A Bibliography of the Writings of Jonathan Swift – Herman Teerink.

A second revised and corrected edition of Dr Teerink’s fundamental reference on Swift.

Published by the University od Pennsylvania Press in 1963. Published in Britain by the Oxford University. First published in 1937, Teerink had continued to compile new discoveries and corrections since that date. He died in 1961 so it was down to Editor Arthur Scouten to produce this update from Teerink’s notes.

Large, thick octavo, 453 pages with frontispiece of Captain Lemuel Gulliver. A very good copy.

The preface by Thomas Yoseloff, Director of the Press reflects on the decision to publish the revision and the difficultly in understanding Terrink’s handwriting. Probably in the history of bibliography there has not been more challenge than in this work on Swift, mainly because of the nature of the publishing trade in the first half of the 18thC and the many potential attributions not under the authors real name or published anonymously.

A monumental work. One might say … what interest a Swift bibliography unless the completely immersed. Well, really it give one a thorough education of the publication of the book in the era … the challenges .. unsold runs of earlier copies and how they can be used in bolstering re-issues of complete works etc. the printing houses and the quality of editorial and review before press.

The structure of book is helpful … Table of Symbols and abbreviations. Table of Location of Teerink Numbers and then the body … Collected Works; Smaller Collections; A Tale of the Tub; Gulliver’s Travels; Separate Works; Doubtful (well some would challenge other and put some of these in the mix); Biography and Criticism, 1709-1895. And a useful index.

Jonathan Swift – more than Gulliver and “the Tub” a lifetime work by Teerink.

$60.00

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Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

A first edition published by the University of Chicago Press in 1972.

Octavo, 138 pages all in very good condition.

Expert Raleigh A. Skelton (known as Peter) was in charge of the Map Room at the British Museum … he was also Editor of the illustrious cartographic journal Imago Mundi … and worked closely with Tooley.

Unfortunately he passed away before this book was absolutely complete. His notes and extensive references made the final putting together of it an easier task than would otherwise have been.

A super work starting with The History of Cartography – An Introductory Survey; the Preservation an Collecting of Early Maps; the Historical Study of Early Maps … the Past, Present and Future. And a lengthy bibliography of Skelton’s published efforts compiled in chronological order by Robert Karrow

Skelton – his final views after a long career toiling over his love of maps

$25.00

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Pat Corrigan – Four Bookplates Commissioned from Australian Artists [Backen, Chapman, Willibrant and Elenberg] – 1970′s

Three original bookplates by three quite different artists, all produced circa 1970’s. All in excellent condition

Earle Backen (1927-2005), books in cubic arrangement. In his time one of the mots respected painters in Sydney. His foundation field was printmaking. In 1954 he won a travelling scholarship and went to London and Paris. 13.5cm x 9.2cm.

Peter Chapman (1925-2016) Blues Player. Chapman born in North Sydney. He became one of Australia’s foremost comic book illustrators including The Phantom Ranger, The Shadow and Sir Falcon. 13cm by 10cm.

James Willibrant (Born 1950) Sydney Harbour. Willibrant was born in Shanghai, returning to Australia in time to study and develop an keen artists talent. Remains very active, his painting are a true delight … look them up. At the time of producing this special bookplate for Pat Corrigan he was teaching art at Chiron College. 12.5cm x 9.0cm. Initialled and dated in the image ’76

Joel Elenberg (1948-1980). Totemic form. Born in Melbourne and died very young in Bali. Soulmate of Brett Whiteley and loved by many. Elenberg an accomplished painter drawn later in his short life to sculpture. The form of this bookplate reflects that transition with its angular biomorphic form.

Pat Corrigan having done more to re-stimulate the art of bookplate design in Australia than any other person. The Wiki article on Pat Corrigan is excellent and has an interesting section on his promotion of bookplates.

Three Corrigan Commissioned Bookplates by three very different Australian Artists.

$90.00

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Threnos for T.E. Lawrence – Henry Williamson (Author of Tarka the Otter)

Threnos … a lament over a victim of a tragedy … no better definition than here … Henry Williamson regarding T.E. Lawrence of Arabia.

Includes other writings by Henry Williamson together with “A Criticism of Henry Williamson’s – Tarka the Otter – by T.E. Lawrence”

Published by the Henry Williamson Society, an only edition 1994. Octavo, 134 pages, yellow card covers, fine condition. Frontispiece from a photograph of Williamson, taken in 1930.

The relationship between Lawrence and Williamson was an unusual one. Born out of publisher Putnam asking Lawrence to review a draft of Traka. He did and sent his written criticism to Putnam who onforwarded it to Williamson. Two year into printing Williamson took up some of T.E.L.’s comments and recognised his involvement in later editions.

When Lawrence crashed his motorcycle and died from the injuries he had just posted a letter to Williamson making arrangements to visit, strangely making their relationship all that stronger. Williamson understood the complex man that Lawrence was and this was reflected in Lawrence’s friendship with him.

A rare Lawrence Item that reveals a very personal side of the Williamson Lawrence relationship … and Tarka

$80.00

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Australian Rare Books 1788-1900 – Jonathan Wantrup.

Published by Hordern House a first edition in 1987. Five years work by Wantrup.

Thick royal octavo, 468 pages with occasional illustrations and tipped in coloured frontispiece of Sturt leaving Adelaide. Occasional foxing and priced accordingly.

A first edition of Jonathan Wantrup’s book which was predicted to become and has become an essential reference for those collecting Australian Rare books. More than that it is a great potted … to read this book from cover to cover is an education in itself … it should be on the curriculum.

Unlike the rather unwieldy and at time questionable Ferguson bibliography this book provides an excellent reference to the nuances and issues of edition and the like which makes book collecting that much more rewarding. Who would not seek out the Burke & Wills with the “garish” endpapers … “No such copy should be passed by” says the author.

“Wantrup” matured to be an essential reference and a solid read in its own right.

$90.00

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Charlotte Barton: Australia’s First Children’s Author – Marcie Muir

A nice piece of work by Marcie Muir, font of all knowledge regarding Australian Children’s Books.

A 35-page octavo card covered pamphlet published by Wentworth Books, 1980. A limited edition of 500 copies this one not numbered or signed so we are not sure if that is correct. A very nice copy.

It was originally thought, an recorded by Ferguson, that the author of the first Australian children’s book “A Mother’s Offering to her Children” published Sydney 1841 was Lady Gordan Bremer. This work by Marcie proves beyond doubt that it was in fact Charlotte Barton. Drawing on a number of sources including Mrs Mins and Mrs Fanning both who wrote to Marcie the author pieces together the evidence and presents it in a very readable, entertaining and informative way. We like it!

Charlotte Barton proven as first Australian children’s author.

Postage will be reduced to cost appropriately on this light weight item.

$20.00

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A Bibliography of the Writings of Jonathan Swift – Herman Teerink.

Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

Pat Corrigan – Four Bookplates Commissioned from Australian Artists [Backen, Chapman, Willibrant and Elenberg] – 1970′s

Threnos for T.E. Lawrence – Henry Williamson (Author of Tarka the Otter)

Australian Rare Books 1788-1900 – Jonathan Wantrup.

Charlotte Barton: Australia’s First Children’s Author – Marcie Muir

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