Fiction

The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

Described as a “personal choice with a new introduction” by the author … good for him.

Octavo, 275 pages published by BCA in 1993. A very good near fine copy.

The author had been writing for seventeen years before it dawned on his that he needed a “character” like Maigret or Sherlock Holmes and it was out of this thought that Rumpole emerged … thank heavens for that.

Undoubtedly the most likeable Barrister of all time … opinions gladly received at Voyager. Here we have his best work, seemingly, with Rumpole … and the Younger Generation; the Showfolk; the Tap End; the Bubble Reputation; on Trial and our favourite …. The Children of the Devil.

Great night time reading … everyone needs to be Rumpole now and again now where is the claret?

Rumpole – several of his finest.

$30.00

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The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

A very good copy of the second printing of the First edition published in George Allen and Unwin, London in 1977.

Large octavo, 365 pages with tow maps included large folding map, of Belleriand and the Lands to the North, at the rear. Top edge stained blue and blue headband as required by this edition. Super condition.

Published posthumously, edited by his son, and mostly written between the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Seemingly the Publisher thought this selection of tales all too complex for their Hobbit audience … so foolish of them.

The stories comprise the first 304 pages then we have five pages of family/clan trees … for the House of Finwe and the Noldrin descent of Elrond and Elros; The Descendants of Olwe and Elwe; the House of Beor and the mortal descent of Eltona and Elros etc. Then a useful note on Pronunciation [best to go here first for the full effect]. And a monster index of place name, characters, objects etc.Closing with several pages on “elements of Quenya and Sindarin names” … this in itself is evidence of J.R.R’s undeniable genius.

Silmarillion by Tolkien simply Special.

$60.00

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The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald – Collected Grey Walls Edition – 1949

One of the most desirable books in the history of the American novel.

A second impression of the Grey Walls First UK Edition published 1949. Highly collectable. The period dust jacket designed by George Woodman is just super and really very hard to find. Octavo, 164 pages, a little ageing, ownership signature on front free end paper, overall a pretty good copy.

Originally published in 1925, at the height of the “Jazz Age” based in Long Island … mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby becomes obsessed with reuniting with former lover Daisy Buchanan. A story line based on Fitzgerald’s own experiences and his former fling with socialite Ginevra King and the wild parties they attended at Long Island. On its initial publication is was a bit of a flop and it was only later when issued to American troops in WWII and introduced to the US schooling program that it was reassessed … leading to this special Grey Walls UK edition.

Rare desirable Fitzgerald’s Gatsby by Grey Walls.

$190.00

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Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Translates literally “Silly Medical Songs” and they are. Andrew Douglas Maclagan (1812-1900) was an eminent Scottish surgeon and toxicologist. In his lifetime he was President of five of the mots distinguished Societies in Scotland. As a toxicologist he was called to Court to give evidence … as a young man he supported the prosecution in the Burke and Hare affair.

Printed by Thomas Constable, Edinburgh in 1850 – a first edition (it was reprinted in 1873). Effectively self published. Maclagan vaguely covered his identity as the author is names as “The Poet Laureate of the New Town Dispensary”. Octavo, bark brown embossed cloth covered boards with gilt titling to front, 82 pages with manuscript additions to rear end paper. Remnant seal to back paste down.

Given the period any reader will be pleasantly surprised how amusing the said poem/songs are … and much fun must have been had with them. Footnotes have been provided which explain the circumstances and sometimes individuals at fault or lampooned. No punches held.

What makes this copy more charming is the manuscript addition. Internally they sometimes correct the events suggested. At the rear we have in neat manuscript further ditties by Maclagan that are not in the published work. Clearly someone who knew the great man very well. 19thC press clipping re Maclagan affixed front free end.

Silly Songs by a most distinguished physician.

$180.00

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Flannel Flowers – May Gibbs c1920

Published Sydney: Angus Robertson no date but an early printing circa 1920, printer Penfold noted at the rear.

Original wrappers, unpaginated but 28 pages in total. Bound with original green cord. Colour pictorial overlay to front of several pretty flannel babies. Illustrated with coloured frontispiece and 11 full page sepia illustrations. Nice condition, apart from a couple of marks to the front and a a name papered over inside front. Otherwise pretty clean inside, free of children’s often found markings. A scarce one in early form for some reason; although later reproduced. Reference authority Muir 2742.

As well as the Flannel Babies we have the Christmas Bell Babies; Bracken Babies; Pea-flower Babies; Mushroom Babies; Fuschia Babies and Tea-tree Babies.

May Gibbs – harder to find early Flannel Babies.

$50.00

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Gum-Nut Babies – May Gibbs c1920

Published Sydney: Angus Robertson no date but an early printing circa 1920 or earlier, printer Penfold noted at the rear.

Original wrappers, unpaginated but 28 pages in total. Bound with original golden cord and wood grain pattern wrapper. Colour pictorial overlay to front of a multitude of peeking gum-nut babies. Illustrated with coloured frontispiece and 11 full page sepia illustrations. Very nice condition, no children’s marks! Reference authority Muir 2736.

The author drew her inspiration from trips trips to the “Bush” near Blackheath in New South Wales.

Very good condition, discretely embossed stamp of Walch Booksellers Hobart atop of front page – hard but nice to see.

May Gibbs – legendary Gum-Nut Babies

$90.00

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The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald – Collected Grey Walls Edition – 1949

Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Flannel Flowers – May Gibbs c1920

Gum-Nut Babies – May Gibbs c1920

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