Curiosities

The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory – 1832

A special facsimile of a valuable reference published by James Raymond Postmaster of New South Wales that year – 1832. The original printed by Stephens and Stokes of King Street, Sydney. Nice multi-folding frontispiece map of Sydney.

This facsimile published by the Trustees of the Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney and represents publication No 7 of the William Dixson Foundation.

An almanac or directory to beat all directories. In this form, octavo, paginated 204 after preliminaries, then approx. 100 pages unpaginated containing … Flag Signals (with coloured illustration); Calendar of Solar Eclipses, Moveable Feast, Monthly Calendar … religious dates, historical anniversaries, moon phases etc, Directory of names. Manfred Cross’s copy with his neat signature on the front end paper. Very good copy only slight rubbing to dust jacket.

The first (paginated) part carries the names of the extensive Civil Establishment … the power of Darling, McArthur, Blaxland, Cox etc easily seen. A list of all Sydney vessels with weigh and purpose. Land regulations, Government charges etc. And the main game, a wordy and worthwhile description “Itinerary of Roads throughout New South Wales” which runs for 110 pages taking one down every path and describing every crossing and property along the way. A super reference.

New South Wales in Detail in 1832.

$50.00

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Original Press Photograph – The Archbold Expedition at Mount Wilhelmina – 1939

An original photograph 22cm by 15cm of the Archbold Expedition camping at the tree line near the base of Mt Wilhelmina, Dutch New Guinea during their important biological exploring expedition of 1938/39 … the third and most ambitious of Archbold’s expeditions, under his leadership.

Very good condition albeit usual press stampings and pasted narrative to rear.

The narrative reads – “Exploring New Guinea by Air – Mount Wilhelmina, Netherlands New Guinea – The camp of the expedition carriers near the timber line in the shadow of Mount Wilhelmina (background) the second loftiest peak on the island, rising mor than three miles at the Equator. It was in this area that MR Archbold discovered a bird he said was hitherto unknown to science. It is slightly larger than the ordinary sparrow, with a bluish-black boy an a brilliant red patch to its throat. It has a delicate, flycatcher- type back and warbles melodically”

Richard Archbold (1907-1976) was a wealthy American zoologist and philanthropist … his three expeditions to Dutch New Guinea were very successful, particularly this the third and final expedition. In it they concentrated mainly in the area from Mt Wilhelmina to the Idenburg River.

Mt Wilhelmina, known as Puncak Trikora since 1963 is 4,750 metres high. It was first climbed in 1913 by Alphons Herderschee. At that time its peak was still covered by a substantial ice cap, as were a number of other high peaks in the area. During the early part of the 10th Century the ice gradually melted and had disappeared by c1940.

The Archbold expeditions continued, under Australian leadership, after WWII and included territory in Papua New Guinea. We have the reports of these later expeditions in stock.

Price $40.00
Nice image of the Archbold camp New Guinea 1939.

$40.00

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Bass and Flinders – Circumnavigation of Tasmania – 200th Anniversary Medal

Together Matthew Flinders and George Bass were the first to circumnavigate Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), in HM Sloop Norfolk, in 1788/89.

This large fine limited run medal was produced in Tasmania to celebrate the 200th anniversary i.e. 1998/99.

Only 120 were produced in this form, this being number 53, marked to the rim. Cast in white metal, 800 mm diameter, 115gms weight. Strong deep profile, fine condition.

Carries the bust of both Flinders an Bass either side of the sloop’s mast, with descriptive text. On the reverse a map of Van Diemen’s Land with the route taken marked and a fine and substantial depiction of the vessel fully rigged.

Limited numbered run of important maritime celebration.

$150.00

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Antique Microscope Slide – Human Fleas – E Bryan c1900

A very nice example prepared by E Bryan Optician of Manchester, England [Not in Bracegirdle]. Bryan operated at the premises in 24 Cross Street c1900. The slide carries his label and a brief subject description.

Male and female examples of the human flea .. that is male and female fleas not fleas of male and female for the grammatically and scientifically challenged.

The Human Flea (Pulex Irritans), an interesting Latin name, is happy on a number of hosts not just humans. It was thought to have originated on South American Guinea Pigs. The female burrows into the flesh particularly around the feet and ovulates internally.

The first single flea image is the female and the second the male

Antique He and She Flea

$70.00

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Field or Students Microscope c1900- Large size with three separate objectives and group of antique French microscope slides – fine condition.

A late Victorian perhaps Edwardian student’s or field drum microscope. In fine working condition. Original wooden case. This variety would have been used by naturalist’s in the field and French by manufacture.

Three brass objectives all in excellent condition. Overall, good optics, retains the original lacquer, swivel mirror unblemished. Comes with five 19thC French style prepared slides.

Mahogany fitted case in fine condition.

Practical antique scientific instrument

$290.00

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Poems to Pavlova – Tulloch Cull – First Edition 1913

A first edition of this poetic homage to the great ballerina Anna Pavlova.

Published by Herbert Jenkins, London in 1913. Square octavo, 62 pages after preliminaries with 8 plates from period photographs. Original decorative green cloth covered boards, all in very good condition.

Russian born Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) hardly requires introduction. Principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes … forever to be remembered as the dying swan.

Her name was pronounced Pa … vlova unfortunately the pudding designed in her honour Pav … lova has corrupted our understanding. Invented (the pudding) during her tour of Australia in the 1920’s … disputed by Kiwis across the Ditch who believe it was first made in Wellington.

Anna Pavlova … much more than a meringue with fruit!

$60.00

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The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory – 1832

Original Press Photograph – The Archbold Expedition at Mount Wilhelmina – 1939

Bass and Flinders – Circumnavigation of Tasmania – 200th Anniversary Medal

Antique Microscope Slide – Human Fleas – E Bryan c1900

Field or Students Microscope c1900- Large size with three separate objectives and group of antique French microscope slides – fine condition.

Poems to Pavlova – Tulloch Cull – First Edition 1913

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