Mining and Geology

The ABT Railway and Railways of the Lyell region [Tasmania] – Lou Rae

This is no 130 of a limited number of 500 hardbound copies. Signed by the author and annotated to “Frank the man with a bit on the side” – wink wink humour. Self-published in 1994 at a standard above the usual self-publish. Very good condition albeit minor crease to dust jacket back.

Folio presentation, 94 pages with near to two hundred images from period photographs [many coloured], good maps and diagrams.

Lou Rae is the man when it comes to writing about Tasmanian railway systems and this one does him proud.

Western Tasmania Mt Lyell Railways in all their glory – super book

$70.00

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Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – December 2012 [Significant Antarctic Content]

Hobart is not only one of the five official gateways to the Antarctic it is a centre for Antarctic Research and Publication.

Large scale softcover, perfect bound 98 pages. Quality production. Nice photographic images etc

The front image is the former Manager’s Villa at Stromness, South Georgia where Shackleton and his companions arrived in May 1916 after their historic journey of survival.

The first third of the publication contains reports on Tasmanian natural history – the balance is entirely Antarctic in nature.

[Dr Xavier] Mertz in Hobart: Impressions of one of Mawson’s men while preparing for Antarctic Adventure.

Dredging up Mawson: implications for the geology of coastal East Antarctica.

Leslie Russell Blake: Mawson’s forgotten geologist.

And, four others including one on South Georgia.

Royal Society Tasmania – a home for Antarctic research publication.

$35.00

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Surveying Instruments and Allied Apparatus made by Cooke, Troughton & Simms – 1923

In 1922 the substantial and highly respected instrument maker Cooke merged with the even more esteemed company of Troughton & Simms. The result was a business which dominated the high end of the manufacture of surveying and related instruments.

This catalogue released a year later in 1923 is much more than that as it set the historic record and provided a super narrative and photographic record of the combined companies capabilities. We do gush a bit, but this is such a magnificent item if you have a thing about theodolites!

Softcover cloth protected, 278 pages, numerous photographs, local maps of facilities and how to get there from the nearest railway station. Simple, bold introduction and their market; historical narrative from their inception by Thomas Wright in the early 18thC – his trade card of 1718 provided as an image. Followed by “General Remarks” re manufacturing capability great photographs of each department. Then 23 pages of technical information.

Product pages include a multitude of complex theodolites [including a special design for the Australian environment] and levels, compasses, alidades, clinometers, Galton sun signals, dipping needles, magnetometers, telescopes, etc. And, a section on “Underground Surveying Instruments”. The odd, interesting, image – Shackleton expedition using their gear farthest south in 1921; a chap in a nice suit taking readings down a mine and the miniature theodolite [our favourite] half-way up a rock face in the Rocky Mountains.

Cooke, Troughton & Simms – Never Surpassed and now never will be.

$160.00

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Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

A very good set of early Guinea Scales with contemporary instructions label. Manufactured Stephen Houghton who took over from Anthony Wilkinson at Ormskirk, Lancashire. Wilkinson had died in 1804. We have two very good examples this probably the best.

Self-erecting and known generally as the Lancashire Gold Balance. The brass beam is rectangular in section and has a hinged “turn and swing” overweight which counter poises the beam for the guinea or half-guinea. Once folded the end-button release mechanism sets and releases nicely.

A small rectangular sliding weight on the load arm registers in graduations to show discrepancies in of under-weight coins.

The collapsing mechanism makes the whole entirely portal in the gentleman’s trouser.

Functioning Georgian Gold Sovereign Scale

$190.00

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Fossil Fern Fragments – Lune River Tasmania – Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 million years old.

Three nice small examples of fossil fern from the Lune River area deep in the southern reaches of Tasmania. Nicely cut and polished.

The dating of the examples in this location to the middle of the early Jurassic Period (182 Ma) was by isotopic measurements on zircons found in the volcanic sandstone hosting the fossils (Bromfield et al 2007). Also refer the excellent guide by P. Manchester.

A nice cabinet group weighing circa 60gms.

Fossil ferns from Jurassic Tasmania .

SO SORRY SOLD

$30.00

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Tasmania’s North East – Loone

A 1981 re-issue of the near impossible to get 1920’s publication by the respected Loone.

Octavo, hardback printed in Launceston, 189 pages set as the original with period images etc. Fine copy, with a perfect dust jacket albeit we do not take to the modern design.

Loone was a pioneer of the area and a dignitary of Scottsdale. He sets out his story in discrete chapters that tell their own story. Much about the early settler’s explorations, the development of Scottsdale. Mining in the area and specifics of various finds good and bad. Forestry and agriculture. Early recollections of aboriginal identities.

Tasmanian North East one of the worlds best North East’s,

$50.00

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The ABT Railway and Railways of the Lyell region [Tasmania] – Lou Rae

Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – December 2012 [Significant Antarctic Content]

Surveying Instruments and Allied Apparatus made by Cooke, Troughton & Simms – 1923

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

Fossil Fern Fragments – Lune River Tasmania – Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 million years old.

Tasmania’s North East – Loone

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