Fiction

Australian Poetry – Apocalypse in Springtime – Lex Banning – 1956

A first edition of what we believe is Lex Banning’s final published collection

Arthur Alexander [Lex] Banning (1921-1965) had a difficult upbringing. He has cerebral palsy to an extent that he had little control over his arms. His studies could only be completed by dictation. Thoughtful and thought provoking and some hard reality.

Slim octavo, published by Edwards and Shaw, Sydney in 1956. 34 pages. Top of decorative dust jacket a tiny bit damaged as it is cut just too large for the book. Otherwise, a very good copy.

Lex Banning had something to say …

$25.00

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Australian Poetry – Light -Margaret Diesendorf – 1981

A first edition of Margaret Diesendorf’s first published collection of poetry. A very special collection by a special person.

Margaret Diesendorf (1912-1993) escaped Austria in 1938 and made her way to Australia. Her Jewish partner, an engineer, left separately and they came together and made a life first in Sydney. She was a highly respected translator … she taught languages and did translations for the likes of the ABC. Later in life she concentrated more of original poetry and was to write upwards of six hundred poems.

An unusual, interesting and exciting style drawing on her understanding of the arts and the World outside Australia. She had a passion for writing poems stimulated by great art works and great artists. This book is set out in two section – the first “On Canvas” represents this them with poems about works by Monet, Picasso, Modigliani, Klimt [the Kiss] and also Australian artists Brett Whiteley [soup Kitchen] and Lloyd Rees [the Pinnacle Mount Wellington].

Slim octavo, published by Edwards and Shaw, Sydney, 1981. 79 pages. A very good copy of another nice production.

Gift worthy poetry and a Voyager favourite

$30.00

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Australian Poetry – The Walk along the Beach – R.A. Simpson – 1960

A first edition of Ronald Albert Simpson’s first published book of poetry. He would go on to published ten collections over the next couple of decades.

Simpson (1929-2002) was a member of what was to be called the “Melbourne Group” his and their style being focused on Australian suburban themes. He was awarded the Christopher Brennan prize for his poetry.

Slim octavo, published by Edwards and Shaw, Sydney. 45 pages, a poem per page. Decorative but understated dust jacket. A very good copy of a very nice production.

Gift worthy poetry Simpson’s first collection.

$25.00

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Plays in One Act – M.S. Armstrong [Thomas; Penny Dreadful; Drought] – Sydney 1958.

The playwright Millicent Sylvia Armstrong [1888-1973] was born at Waverley in Sydney and along with her sisters attended Sydney University where she obtained a First in English Language.

She moved to London in 1914 to pursue a writing career but was soon involved in support services in WWI. Near the end of the war, she was a nurse in France and helped to rescue many from the advancing German Army for which she received the Croix de Guerre.

Later back in Australia she took to the land and writing short plays. Drought the third presented here won the 1923 Rupert Brooke Prize.

A scarce book published by Edwards & Shaw, Sydney in 1958. Slim octavo, sixty-nine pages. The first two Thomas and Penny Dreadful are what are commonly called “drawing room plays”. Penny Dreadful is particularly tense. Drought must be one of the shortest plays to convey such strong feelings ever written at eight pages.

Each play is beautifully introduced with a detailed description of the setting and an introduction to the nature of the characters.

We like it!

Three interesting plays by an Australian woman ahead of here times – very readable.

$30.00

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Traitors’ Gate – Dennis Wheatley

First edition published by Hutchinson, London in 1958. One of Wheatley’s classics.

The Book Club edition which had this classic jacket designed by Sax – so period. Octavo 383 pages. End paper plan of Budapest and schematic of the Tower of London. Bit of age to top edge otherwise a very good copy..

One of a series on novels concerning the secret agent Gregory Sallust. Set in Budapest in 1942 where the effects of the war had yet to fully felt. The main plot centres around how the enemy were so brilliantly misled regarding the Allies intentions in North Africa.

Dennis Wheatley established a cult following during his lifetime. He was hugely successful and bought a large “Georgian Pile” in Hampshire were he kept a very large collection of rare and antiquarian books … his appetite for serious historical memoirs is reflected in the depth and solidity of his writing.

Wheatley in Budapest during WWII – dressed by Sax

$30.00

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Lord Rochester’s Monkey (Being the Life of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester) – Graham Greene – First Edition 1974

Graham Green had written this lengthy biography in the early 1930’s. Rochester’s work and life were considered rather racy for the period and there was difficulty getting it published.

Moving the clock forward to 1974 and it is finally published backed up by some very good relevant illustrations.

Published by the Bodley Head, London in 1974. Large octavo (25cm by 19cm) 231 pages with numerous illustrations many in colour. A very good copy.

Rochester the second Earl (the first having hidden Charles up the Oak tree) was well favoured by the restored King Charles II. He had an incredible brain, although at Oxford spent the entire time drunk. He entered the King’s Court at an early age after a surprisingly distinguished naval career. His writing of odes and poetry was of the highest standard although cutting; a wit to the extreme. A wit not held back on the King himself who saw Rochester off to the Tower to reflect. Supposed to be the author of the erotic play Sodom, based on the debauch Court of Charles. None of his work was published in his lifetime … he died at an early age from medical complications associated with his wild life.

Lord Rochester his life was not Monkey Business

$60.00

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Australian Poetry – Apocalypse in Springtime – Lex Banning – 1956

Australian Poetry – Light -Margaret Diesendorf – 1981

Australian Poetry – The Walk along the Beach – R.A. Simpson – 1960

Plays in One Act – M.S. Armstrong [Thomas; Penny Dreadful; Drought] – Sydney 1958.

Traitors’ Gate – Dennis Wheatley

Lord Rochester’s Monkey (Being the Life of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester) – Graham Greene – First Edition 1974

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