Curiosities

In Old Days and These and Other Stories – Tasmania – By The Captain

Extremely scarce and only edition published in 1930 printed at the Monotone Art Printers, Hobart, effectively self published by the anonymous “Captain”.

Octavo, soft covers 159 pages, illustrated throughout, the highlight being an unusual large folding map at the front of the Derwent Estuary. A number of “old style” advertisements for various Hobart businesses scattered throughout.

The “Captain” starts by suggestion the book contains numerous ancient and modern historical facts of Tasmania in general and Hobart in particular.

The detail in this book is quite astonishing. It wanders through the City streets referring to building after building .. the history of who owned it from its first existence, what use it was put to and the successes and failures that ensued. Amusing and fateful anecdotes along the way. Pubs feature strongly and, we are entertained with the new ways of making good beer that have been adopted in Hobart. Key individuals feature and we hear of the great family difficulties suffered by Voyager hero James Kelly, whaling entrepreneur and Derwent Pilot.

Few copies exits in libraries and none we can see for sale.

Special book on Hobart for anyone interested in the fine details.

$120.00

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Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

A rare book published by Watson and Ferguson, Brisbane in 1949. George Cooling was a pupil and later Master at the illustrious Brisbane Boys Grammar. Written with a hint of Wodehouse; he may certainly qualify as a “Villian”… with his frank expose of goings on … with often tongue planted firmly in cheek. The story of the teaching of sex education and the parents attempts with the birds and the bees is very funny … young boy at Church wedding of his elder sister shouts out to his mother … “When is he going to give her his pollen?” .. priceless.

Octavo, 254 pages, a trifle cocked as with all W & F books, very clean and with a very good dust jacket. The odd cartoon illustration by McClure.

The art on the dust jacket is really super and makes the book. For those that know the history of Pink Floyd, think of the Cartoon images drawn by the great Gerald Scarfe to accompany “One More Brick in the Wall” … was this the inspiration? Doubt it, but what a coincidence. “Hey Teacher Leave us Kids Alone”.

Essential Grammar related book … but any Brisbanite will love and cherish it.

$60.00

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Hanji Mahomet Allum – Afghan Camel-Driver, Herbalist and Healer in Australia – Madelaine Brunato – Very Rare

A scarce book published by Investigator Press of Leabrook in 1972; effectively self published. Octavo, 80 pages, illustrated throughout.

Mahomet Allum was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan about 1857. He came to Australia in the 1880’s as a camel driver, working in Western Australia mainly in and around the gold-fields. He was a true transport pioneer, carrying mail and supplies thousands of miles into the most isolated of areas. Over time he built up a reputation as a herbalist and healer. In his later years he settled in South Australia … a well known and liked colourful and controversial figure … people flocked to receive his cures. He lived until he was 106 … no wonder he became known as the “Wonder Man”

Pasted at the front is a note on the author Madeleine Brunato who had spent time among the Mahommedan tribes of Quetta. The note is signed and annotated by the author.

Camel driving in the Western Deserts or was it the herbs that kept him alive so long …

$40.00

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Scents of Flying – Maki Horanai and Hillel Weintraub

Self published hand made by Mountain Dreams Press in 2010. A special beautiful book displaying the highly original artwork of Maki Horanai.

Unpaginated but 28 pages of thick handmade paper so lovely you could eat it. Fourteen images by Horanai, alternating full page and double page. Signed boldly on the front pastedown by the artist and the wordsmith Hillel Weintrub. The image of the title, an element of “Homage” is repeated pasted to the front boards. Boards covered in rich handmade paper.

As you can tell … we love it.

Wish and you could be a “Sky Carpet Traveller”

$70.00

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The Dawn of Time – Australian Aboriginal Myths in Paintings – Roberts and Mountford.

A first edition of this “sequel” to Dreamtime. Another wonderful book by ethnologist Charles Mountford and artist Ainslie Roberts.

Published in 1969 again by Rugby, Adelaide. Same small quarto format 79 pages with a beautiful image for each of the myths recounted by Mountford received from Elders and Storytellers.

Includes some from the coast such as Kondole the Whale; Pipinyawari the Queen Fish … the Fighting Cloud Women; the Black Kangaroo; and our favourite Brolga the Dancing Girl .. albeit a little sad.

Remember this story when you see a Brolga.

$30.00

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A Living Voice of the Living Bush – William Ricketts – Wonderfully Annotated and Signed.

First and only edition published by the Victorian Forestry Commission in 1965 celebrating the incredible art of William Ricketts. Larger format soft cover, 24 pages with sixteen colour illustrations. A bit marked and aged on the cover, clean inside, forgive any deficiencies for his manuscript additions.

The annotation on the first blank page reads as follows … “From my Mountain of Remembrance where we remember with love everything that was created … [followed by his creation symbol underscored with his signature] … The Prayer of the Mountain – The Prayer of the Forest – My prayer – all are one Prayer … “

Added in different hand the name of the receiver.

William Ricketts (1898-1993) misunderstood and maybe he misunderstood … regardless he made beautiful objects. If it offends, well then that’s a bit sad. He was a religious man and felt the earth and whether he misrepresented and misplaced .. well that gives a job for the academic critics. Just enjoy them. They were badly damaged in a massive storm a couple of years ago … we hope they have been resurrected.

In the 1950’s he spent quite some time with the Pitjantjatjara and Arrente people in Central Australia … they inspired his work among the trees in the Dandenong Mountains.

William Ricketts – A rare annotation we believe.

$70.00

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In Old Days and These and Other Stories – Tasmania – By The Captain

Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

Hanji Mahomet Allum – Afghan Camel-Driver, Herbalist and Healer in Australia – Madelaine Brunato – Very Rare

Scents of Flying – Maki Horanai and Hillel Weintraub

The Dawn of Time – Australian Aboriginal Myths in Paintings – Roberts and Mountford.

A Living Voice of the Living Bush – William Ricketts – Wonderfully Annotated and Signed.

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