Crime of the True Variety

Reminiscences of an Australian Pioneer – Robert Barton [Uncle of Bajo Patterson]- 1917

Barton’s reminiscences – a “squatter of the olden days”. Born in 1842 in the central West belonging to the first generation to follow the original land-takers in the west.

Barton, was an uncle to Banjo Patterson and spent his life in New south Wales and Queensland.

By 1840 the squattocracy was firmly ‘landed’ and well-to-do. Barton looks back positively to the convict origins of his family’s assigned men. As a young man in his twenties the bushrangers Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall bushranging gangs were part of his life. Later he is confronted by the trade union movement and striking shearers.

First edition published by Tyrrells, Sydney in 1917. Octavo, vii, 288 pages with portrait of author. Original purple cloth binding, spine faded as usual. Pages slightly tones and some age to ends, ownership details on front ends and a helpful annotation in the Preface. Scarce and worthwhile copy.

One on the best Australian Pioneering stories

$150.00

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Nemarluk – King of the Wilds

Nermarluk (1911-1940) was an aboriginal warrior who lived near Darwin at Moyle Plain. He was a fighting man well over six foot tall. He was the head man of the Chul-a-mar.

In 1930 he was imprisoned at the Fannie Bay jail but escaped swimming the eight km across the Darwin Harbour to Cox Peninsula. This account represents the last three years of his life when he was tracked by Bul-Bul, who had been brought in by the Northern Territory police to finally capture him.

1951 Edition Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Octavo, 213 pages, evenly toned, still war paper and some age in ends, very good dust jacket … all up a good copy of one of the harder to find Idriess reality based books.

Rare Idriess in the Northern Territory and the brave but dangerous Nermaluk

$40.00

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Gold Escort Robbery Trails – Noel Thurgood.

Hard to find published by the special Kangaroo Press in 1988. The author passed away before the press.

Octavo, 192 pages, simple map of the region of the criminal goings on re the gold escort. Interesting group of illustrations including images of the main players

The Eugowra gold escort robbery likely the most sensational event in Australian bushranging history. In the year 1862, Frank Gardiner and his band od trusted bushrangers shot it out with the police escort and made off with a King’s ransom of gold and notes. The Forward and Prologue set the scene – the event and the capture. The main game “the trial” makes riveting reading for the colonial historian, gold buff or curious legal mind – theatre

The Biggest gold heist and subsequent trial …

$30.00

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Forty Years in Canada – Colonel B Steele- First Edition 1915

A super perhaps companion book to our book by Haydon on the Mounties published a few years earlier.

This scarce London First edition published by Herbert Jenkins in 1915. An insert tells us that it was ready to go in August 1914 but postponed because of the outbreak of WWI.

The longer title provides … Reminiscences of the Great North-West with some Accounts of His Service in south Africa by Colonel S.B. Steele CB MVO late of the N.W.M. Police and the S. African Constabulary – Edited by Mollie Niblett with an introduction by J.G. Colmer CMG.

Large Royal octavo, 428 pages, 17 plates from relevant photographs, frontispiece of the fine chap etc.

A mots interesting and highly detailed personal account of a man of action in the Canadian North-West and despite the overarching title some extensive experience in the Military in South Africa where he commanded Strathcona’s Horse. This guy could ride. Soapy Smith – Sitting Bull etc.

Canadian North West history personal and in detail by a man like his name made of Steele

$90.00

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The Riders of the Plains – A Record of the Royal North-West Mounted Police of Canada 1873-1910 – A.L. Haydon – First Edition London 1910

The go to book re the “Mounties” of the era. And really a book about the vast region they held responsibility for the various goings on and in particular references to the indigenous people of this cold region and the incredible topography and diversity.

A scarce first London edition published by Andrew Melrose in 1910. Thick “Royal” octavo, 382 pages plus publisher’s catalogue, super illustrations from period photographs throughout, very helpful annotated map and various diagrams re Fort layouts etc. Original crimson cloth covered boards, gilt titles and embellishments. Very good if not better overall condition.

A comprehensive account … too much to precis easily. Starts with the history of the region, the coming of the “Police”, outposts in the Wilderness and the Indian Treaty with the “Blackfeet” – then the Sioux invasion and “Sitting Bull” … various rebellions and attacks on Forts – tough times.

The history of the vast area patrolled by the Mounties.

$90.00

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Man Tracks – With the Mounted Police in the Australian Wilds – Ion Idriess – 1935

Published by Angus & Robertson 1935, a fifth edition same year as the first.

Octavo, 330 pages, illustrations from authors and contemporary photographs. Without dust jacket – red cloth covered boards clean – a better than good overall copy. End paper maps.

An impressive Idriess book about the Australian mounted Police up through the Red Centre, the North and North West. Many lively accounts recounted in the normal Idriess way. The photography in this book is special with a number of unique aboriginal images.

Real Crime solved by Police on Horseback

$35.00

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Reminiscences of an Australian Pioneer – Robert Barton [Uncle of Bajo Patterson]- 1917

Nemarluk – King of the Wilds

Gold Escort Robbery Trails – Noel Thurgood.

Forty Years in Canada – Colonel B Steele- First Edition 1915

The Riders of the Plains – A Record of the Royal North-West Mounted Police of Canada 1873-1910 – A.L. Haydon – First Edition London 1910

Man Tracks – With the Mounted Police in the Australian Wilds – Ion Idriess – 1935

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