Curiosities

Violinist Bookends by Armor Bronze – 1930’s

Special ornamental bookends of a violinist in full flow by Armor Bronze who operated from Taunton, Massachusetts, USA in the 1930’s. Nice condition with strong enamelled colour showing some rubbing but not bad given their age. The books stand 20cm high and weight 1.4kgs together.

One of the bookends still carries the maker’s label. Not included in the authority “Collector’s Encyclopaedia of Bookends” by Kuritzky and de Costa which we believe means they are rather rare. We have never seen another example for sale.

Super scarce 1930’s bookends for the musically inclined – the Richard Tognetti of bookends

$390.00

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Fine Carte de Visite – Adventure Author and Secretary to the Marine Society – Samuel Whitchurch Sadler – William Trindall Pembroke Dock. 1860’s.

Samuel Whitchurch Sadler was a prolific writer of maritime adventure stories of the period. Quite a number involved slave ships … The African Cruiser; Slavers and Cruisers; The Good Ship Barbara; The Flag Lieutenant and our favourite The Ship of Ice. The Marine Society is the World’s oldest Maritime Charity. Formed in 1756 at the Kings Arms Tavern, Cornhill London. The objective of the charity … to train and improve the lot of young men, often orphans, and train then up, cloth them etc so they had more chance of survival in the Navy.

The photographer was William Trindall, an Oxford born “photographic artist” who was operating out of premises in the Docks at Pembroke from 1868. A previous owner has written 1864 on the reverse … this might be a tad early.

A very good image in fine condition.

Distinguished Marine Identity and prolific story teller

$40.00

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Some Songs of the South Pole [From Operation Deep Freeze] – Edward Bacon

Published privately, first and only, by the author, Washington DC in 1960. Landscape presentation, 72 pages. A trifle marked to covers … still a very good copy.

Edward Bacon participated in the US “Operation Deep Freeze I” in 1955 when the Americans established their permanent base on the Antarctic. Here he documents his cold climate experiences, songs and poetry. A really interesting companion to the “Songs of the Morning” … see our separate listing

Curious South Polar Item from Operation Deep Freeze.

$70.00

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Abel Tasman Medal – 350 Years

Unlike our other example this medal is silent about its purpose. However, it was issued to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the discovery of Tasmania by Abel Tasman. We think also sponsored by the Trust Bank of Tasmania.

40 mm diameter, 25 gm, intricately engraved, in heavy relief, with an image of Tasman performing some nautical calculations and his vessels on one side with leaf design on reverse.

Tasman celebrated with a nicely engraved design

$55.00

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Medicine Man – F.B. McCann

A very nice copy of Frank McCann’s book … essentially an autobiography of his experiences as a bush Doctor in the outback Northern Australia, predominantly among indigenous people and, likely the world’s largest geographical practice.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1959. Octavo, 208 pages, the odd illustrative sketch. Nice dust jacket. A very good copy.

An interesting book of a near unique nature. Written in a humorous style but not without rewarding content.

Anecdotes of distinguished Medical Man in the outback

$25.00

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Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

Distinguished African Missionary and Explorer, Dr David Livingstone died in 1871. This photograph likely taken just before his final African adventure. He left for Zanzibar in 1866, part of his objective to find the source of the Nile, believing it to be further south than proposed by Burton and Speke. It was in 1870 that Stanley found him with that now famous introduction “Livingstone I presume?”.

The photographer James Good Tunny (1820-1887) was highly regarded and in business for many years. This image was reproduced likely to commemorate news of the death of Livingstone as it references 13 Maitland Street, Edinburgh and 11 Salisbury Place … the latter being Tunny’s second studio and home from 1871 to 1886.

A very good image in carte de visite style, a trifle marked, otherwise a fine albumen print.

Important photograph of the esteemed African Explorer, Dr David Livingstone, possibly commemorative.

$120.00

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Violinist Bookends by Armor Bronze – 1930’s

Fine Carte de Visite – Adventure Author and Secretary to the Marine Society – Samuel Whitchurch Sadler – William Trindall Pembroke Dock. 1860’s.

Some Songs of the South Pole [From Operation Deep Freeze] – Edward Bacon

Abel Tasman Medal – 350 Years

Medicine Man – F.B. McCann

Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

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