Law

The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

This book carries the bookplate of Felix Dennis (1947-2014) with the pencil note likely by Dennis xi ii which presumably means February 2011.

Felix Dennis was one of three charged and found initially guilty in the famous “Schoolkids Oz” obscenity trial in London. Dennis received a lesser sentence because he was considered less intelligent than the others.

Published by Gonza Multimedia in 2011, softcover 312 pages, many illustrations including the somewhat offensive which formed part of the trial. The book is a great read especially for those the like the machinations of a good court drama. Verbatim mixed with other narrative about the lead up, police, judiciary etc. Political influence is said to have been involved in getting to the lads sentences rescinded – the Judge met then secretly and got their commitment not to be “so naughty”.

For the dumb one Dennis did very well and went on to build a magazine and media empires worth several hundred million quid, bought David Bowie’s West indies paradise, set up the biggest tree planting charity in England etc etc – quit a chap – look him up.

OZ Trial – for provenance couldn’t be beaten

PS If your protective of Rupert the Bear this is not the book fro you …

$120.00

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Spy Catcher – Peter Wright – Former Assistant Director MI5

The greatest real expose of the activities of MI5 from technically adept Peter wright.

There was Philby and the “thing” the secret of all secret devices hidden within the American Great Seal. The bugging of the Egyptian cypher room. His greatest claim however was that Sir Roger Hollis was the “Fifth Man”.

Wright retired to Cygnet, Tasmania where he and his wife had a few acres and raised Arabian horses.

The struggle to get published and the various political heaviness are well understood.

Published by Heinemann in Australia in 1987, a first edition. Octavo, 392 pages, illustrated from photographs. Original owner name on end paper, closed tear top dust jacket otherwise a nice copy of this important book.

Spy Catcher – They couldn’t stop him …..

$35.00

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Gold Escort Robbery Trails – Noel Thurgood.

Hard to find published by the special Kangaroo Press in 1988. The author passed away before the press.

Octavo, 192 pages, simple map of the region of the criminal goings on re the gold escort. Interesting group of illustrations including images of the main players

The Eugowra gold escort robbery likely the most sensational event in Australian bushranging history. In the year 1862, Frank Gardiner and his band od trusted bushrangers shot it out with the police escort and made off with a King’s ransom of gold and notes. The Forward and Prologue set the scene – the event and the capture. The main game “the trial” makes riveting reading for the colonial historian, gold buff or curious legal mind – theatre

The Biggest gold heist and subsequent trial …

$30.00

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Portraiture of Socrates – Catherall – 1717

An extremely scarce work and one of the great 18th Century scholarly works in English re Socrates.

Longer title from front – Eikon Sokratike Or, a Portraiture of Socrates, Extracted out of Plato. In Blank Verse by Sam. Catherall, A.B. and Fellow Oriel College, Oxon.

Unbound as issued, amazing even though worn, that it has survived in this form for over three hundred years. Printed at Oxford by Lichfield and Peisley and sold by Knapton et al Booksellers in London 1717.

Title reflects the “Imprimatur” of Jo. Baron Vice-Can, Oxon Ball. [Balliol] College Oxon June 17, 1717.

Octavo, sewn as issued, 6, 53, pages, old water stain now faded. Ownership signature dated 1726 on title.

The quite lengthy Preface by the translator is so humble we could all learn from it today. He explains his approach, omissions and limitations … he is obviously a great fan of Plato and Socrates – and why not they both had a good approach to life and focussed on meaningful thought and actions.

All up there are 36 “Dialogues” by Plato that feature Socrates as the central character – here we have Socrates at the Bar (Trial); Socrates in Prison; Socrates Discoursing on the Immorality of the Soul with Crito, and Simmias; Socrates about to drink Poison, Discoursing with Crito in the Presence of all his Friends … interesting the work ends FINIS … which it did.

Socrates by Plato and then Catherall at Oxford – 1717 – the pointy bits

$290.00

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Kaleidoscope – E.R. Jim Henry

A solid humorous memoir by Tasmanian legal identity and raconteur Eric Rutherford “Jim” Henry. A funny man – author of self described best seller “Revelations of a Retired Lawyer” –

The first page of this book proves he had not lost his wit – a man that definitely wore his heart on his sleeve. Not quite the Dubliner’s but there is also some gossip in here. Not only good with the law and the pen he could hold a tennis racket with some style and success.

Self published in 1981 and signed, soft cover, perfect bound, 242 pages, lots of images from photographs. If you went to Hutchins then this should be on your shelf.

Call me “Jim” Henry and his life and observations with fun and information thrown in.

$30.00

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Trial of King Charles the First – England’s Black Tribunal -1737

Published by C Rivington, at the Bible and Crown in St Paul’s Church Yard (London) in 1737. Octavo, xxxi, 308 pages with adverts, index and engraved plate of Charles I as frontispiece. Bound in full contemporary leather, a bit worn but authentic antiquarian. No title label. The frontispiece is a masterpiece of stipple engraving and is often missing.

Carries the bookplate of Victorian gentleman James Barratt of Lymm Hall a magnificent pile which appeared in Twycross’s Mansions of England. later bookplate of Charles J Bewlay of Carleton Hall, partly laid over. This combination has been seen before, also se in the partial laid over manner … Bewlay must have purchased a good slice of Barratt’s library.

A sixth and very much enlarged edition. Set out in four parts. The longer title describes …

I – The complete Tryal of Kind Charles the First, by the pretended High Court of Justice in Westminster-Hall, begun Jan, 20, 1648. Together with His Majesty’s Speech on the Scaffold, erected at Whitehall Gate, on Tuesday Jan. 30, 1648.

II – The Loyal Martyrology: Or, A perfect Relation of the Sufferings and Death of the Nobility, Gentry, and others, who were inhumanly sacrific’d for their Loyalty to the Sovereigns King Charles I and II. Together with several Dying Speeches.

III – An Historical Register of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, who were slain in Defence of their King and Country, during the Unnatural Rebellion, begun in 1641.

IV – The Loyal Confessors: In a brief Account of the most Eminent Sufferers, by Imprisonment, Banishment, or in Estate, for the Cause of His Sacred Majesty.

To which is added An Historical Preface, by a True Churchman.

For those unaware of the general goings on Charles I (Son of James VI of Scotland, England’s first Stuart King) thought he could rule without a Parliament and making up his own laws (read taxes) as he went along. It led to disorder, Civil War (6% of the population died) and much more. He was arrested and charged with everything in the book [interestingly his charges are an early example of being charged with murder committed by his followers]. He didn’t recognise the Court and said so often during the Trial. He was if anything very eloquent and his responses and Dying Speech are good for reading.

Charles I – Lost is Head but not his Voice – Rare engraved frontispiece.

$380.00

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The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

Spy Catcher – Peter Wright – Former Assistant Director MI5

Gold Escort Robbery Trails – Noel Thurgood.

Portraiture of Socrates – Catherall – 1717

Kaleidoscope – E.R. Jim Henry

Trial of King Charles the First – England’s Black Tribunal -1737

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