Curiosities

The Calligraphers Handbook – Osborne

An unusual book for us but we think its time everyone relearned to write and if you are going to do that why not do it properly and with style.

Published by Gallery Books, New York in 1987. We have attributed the book to Nigel Osborne who was the art director … really it’s a collaboration of talented pen enthusiasts. Quarto, 64 pages and as would be expected illustrated everywhere.

There are a number of books on this subject and in this style but this is the best one we have come across to get anyone interested beyond those difficult first steps into the true world of beautiful calligraphy. Handy introduction to the various pen nib types.

The least we can do is improve our standard signature.

Calligraphy – you have always wanted to do it – pick up a pen today.

$25.00

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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyan – Peter Pauper Press

A lovely little production by the superb Mount Vernon, Peter Pauper Press printed delightfully on rag paper.

The Edward Fitzgerald translation illustrated by Jeff Hill. No date but likely 1970′s

Unpaginated but 62 pages with 9 full page illustrations, the verses printed crisply within decorative borders. Decorated paper covered boards the design of which carries over to the dust jacket. Very good condition albeit a little ageing to the jacket.

The Rubaiyat should require no introduction .. every library should have several versions of which this a special one.

The Rubaiyat by the special Peter Pauper Press.

$40.00

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Antique French Field or Students Microscope – Triple compound objective

A late Victorian possibly Edwardian student’s or field drum microscope of the French variety. Comes with a “Nachet” style triple compounding objective which gives a number of magnifications when combined.

A functioning microscope in very good barely used condition … good clean mirror. Case in very good condition.

Nice triple objective field microscope

$220.00

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Tasmania – Cessation of Transportation Medal – Cast 1853

A very good example of the dual-purpose Cessation of Transportation (to Tasmania) medal and 50-year Jubilee medal. Often found with an offensive hole drilled presumably so it could be worn … ours free of this blight and in pretty good condition.

The Anti-transportation league received good news from England via the steamer Harbinger that had reached Melbourne with the official notification that the transportation of convicts to Van Diemens Land was over. The name change to Tasmania was not officially in effect until 1856.

Nine thousand pewter medals were cast and given to children in the Colony, 4000 in Hobart, 3000 in Launceston and the rest in outlying areas. 100 bronze examples were cast and given to the movers and shakers in the anti-transportation league and one gold example which was given to Queen Victoria.

A substantial medal 58 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, 65 gm. With a portrait of Queen Victoria on one side and the Australian Coat of Arms with Sun Rising and Emu and Kangaroo Supports.

A unique dual celebration and an important Colonial Medal.

$440.00

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Rasmie’s Buddie [Shetlandic Poetry] – Haldane Burgess

This is the fourth edition of this most curios collection of “Poems in the Shetlandic” by Haldane Burgess illustrated by Frank Walterson.

Published in beautiful Lerwick, Shetland by the local publishing company. Octavo, xxii,104 pages including the useful if not essential comprehensive glossary of Shetlandic words at the end. Very good condition in a like dust jacket.

First published in the 19th century the work comprises forty seven poems which follow a very good biographical memoir of the poet by Manson and a preface by expert Lawrence Graham.

There are smatterings of English .. “The Shetland words are rather tough, – And there are folk you’d reach – Who’d like the “’Buddie” right enough; – But can’t make out the speech. – I have knocked about the world, – Seen and read a thing or two – And picked up some plain English, – Which I’m pretty sure would do”

But the fun in this work comes with the translation and the relaxing island style.

Shetlandic poetry – what a way in to a beautiful dialect ..

$35.00

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Elements of Medical Logick, illustrated by Practical Proofs and Examples – Sir Gilbert Blane – 1821

Published by Thomas and George Underwood, London in 1821. This is the second edition .. with Large Additions, Particularly in the Practical Part. Extremely scarce regardless.

The “Windsor Copy” meaning from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, cancelled in the 1948 cull performed by the then merciless Royal Librarian.

Octavo, 280 pages, inscribed on the end paper “from the Author” i.e. a gift to the then George IV’s Library. There is an additional note of recognition “with thanks acknowledges the Rect of this book. J.G. LT, Oct 2nd 1821”. Rebound beautifully in half calf by Roger Perry, separate red leather title label characteristically hand tooled not blocked.

An interesting read … an unusual index which provides brief explanations assists e.g. … Alexander the Great his method of dispelling sleep; Artificial ills to be corrected by artificial remedies; Aristotle a great observer of nature; Banks, Sir Joseph found colchiucum remedy for gout; Boyle his recommendation of a fantastick remedy; Cadiz the yellow fever more frequently there, than any where in Europe; Exceptions the danger in erecting them into rules; Exercise necessary to the soundness and perfections of the vital organs; Lymphatik system no sound nor available physiology before its discovery; Opium of essential benefit in the cure of gravel; Sensation can be excited by the imagination; Galvanism not identical with the nervous power but an exciter of it … and probably more relevant examples.

Sir George Blane was a celebrated medic of the time. He was a Fellow of the Royal Societies of London, Edinburgh and Gottingen, a Member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at St Petersburgh and the appointed Physician to the King. An important history of medical work.

Royal Library Pedigree of an Important Medical Reference.

$340.00

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The Calligraphers Handbook – Osborne

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyan – Peter Pauper Press

Antique French Field or Students Microscope – Triple compound objective

Tasmania – Cessation of Transportation Medal – Cast 1853

Rasmie’s Buddie [Shetlandic Poetry] – Haldane Burgess

Elements of Medical Logick, illustrated by Practical Proofs and Examples – Sir Gilbert Blane – 1821

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