Natural History

Deco Howdah Elephant Bookends – Aronson 1923

A nice collectable pair of art deco howdah elephant bookends in the rare multi-coloured finish by Aronson (formerly Art Metal Works) and then later the Ronson Company – USA 1923

These are small bookends for small books or decorative effect on the bookshelf in the library or the bedroom – one of our regular customer’s coined the phrase bedroom bookends and we got it.

Good condition with some bright colouring albeit with some loss of the blue enamel on the base likely from over cleaning – always wipe elephants gently.

Deco era bookends for the bedroom – something showy and different

$260.00

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Waller’s Owl [Australian Eastern Grass owl] -Silvester Diggles – Brisbane – c1870

Rare original hand-coloured lithograph by Queensland naturalist Silvester Diggles. Published as part of his magnificent work “”The Ornithology of Australia” between 1866 and 1870 in twenty-one parts by Pugh of Brisbane, in a very limited edition. By the time part sixteen was published there were only 92 subscribers. The original plates were executed on stone and coloured by Diggles and his niece, Rowena Birkett.

The Waller’s Owl in modern times referred to as the Eastern Grass Owl. A beautiful reclusive and rarely seen bird which is occasionally seen in New South Wales but mainly in Queensland where it hunts the cane fields and grasslands for rodents. A medium sized owl similar to the barn owl. Colouring tan-brown with black, white and orange mottling, long legs which it uses to snatch its prey from dense undergrowth.

The work measures 38cm by 27cm, good hand colouring pretty clean and undamaged. A scarce item.

About Silvester Diggles

Silvester Diggles (1817-1880) artist and musician born in Liverpool, England. He came to Australia in 1853 settling in Brisbane where he taught music and drawing. Diggles was a founder of the Brisbane Choral Society in 1859 and the Philharmonic Society in 1861 known as “the father of music in Brisbane”. Diggles was also a founder of the Queensland Philosophical Society and helped establish the Museum. His greatest work was The Ornithology of Australia. It nearly sent him broke. His health deteriorated worry about finances being a factor. He died at Kangaroo Point in 1880.

Price $490.00 unframed.

An opportunity to own a rare original owl by Queenslander Silvester Diggles.

SORRY ON HOLD ENQUIRE IF YOU WISH

$490.00

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Lord Howe Island – Jean Edgecombe.

A first edition softcover published in 1987. Published by Australian Environmental Publications, Mullens Street, Balmain [effectively self published].

151 pages, heavily illustrated, including some good images in colour from relevant photographs. Large, detailed fold out map provided separately. A very good copy.

Jean Edgecombe was indeed the best writer on Lord Howe and Norfolk Island. Starts with a good history re discovery and early settlement before excellent work on the geography and abundant natural history. Dick Smith’s foray to top Ball’s Pyramid gets an airing.

Lord Howe another special island location

$25.00

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Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

Published in 1966 when pigs were not as full on the meat rich Australian dinner table – now we like a bit of crackling and as many chooks as we can eat.

Octavo, 171 pages, Lots of images from photographs, diagrams of various constructions, statistics etc.

Obviously mass animal husbandry practices have moved on (not sure in which direction) since the 1960’s. However, if your thinking about raising a few oinkers this is a good book to start with.

It was written at a time when first time hobby farmer types actually made things rather than just going to the wholesaler and buy absolutely everything or where it cannot be bought get the man in.

Also, we like the careful simplicity without the mention of organics or welfare – it was a time when animals were er looked after like the family.

So a small investment if you are in say the Huon Valley or Southern Highland of NSW or the Queensland tablelands – get to it!

For all those pig lover out there

$25.00

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Australian Antarctic Expedition 1911-14. Scientific Reports Series C – Zoology and Botany – Vol VIII Part III – Echinodermata Echinoidea [Urchins].

By Professor Rene Koehler, Lyon France – edited by professor Launcelot Harrison, University of Sydney.

We have mentioned previously about how long it took to get the scientific reports from Mawson’s expedition published. This one 1926 so twelve years after the event.

It is alos interesting how widely the field samples were dispersed in this process. This one from Lyon printed in Sydney in French without an English translation. So one for those that have the linguistic capability or the knowledge to interpret, and admire, the thirty three magnificent plates full page plates.

Large format, soft cover, staple bound as issued, 134 pages of narrative followed the plates, very good condition.

Cold water urchins given the French treatment with super plates

$60.00

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Antarctica – Reginald Ford

An unusual facsimile presentation of one of the rarest heroic era publications – the tiny book “Antarctica” which was originally published in New Zealand in 1906.

A boxed set of items by the Erskine Press issued in 2015 comprising solid black box with a front label copy of the front cover repeated .. inside two postcards – Discovery in Winter Quarters from a painting by A.E. (Uncle Bill) Wilson and A new and accurate map of the islands of the Antarctic etc by Talland Power for the Erskine Press; a stout copy of a broadsheet advertising a lecture “Farthest South” by Mr C Reginald Ford with various positive opinions and press remarks. Also, a 12 page, card covered potted biography of Charles Reginald Ford by Crispin de Boos. And, the said facsimile with linen textured card cover, 32 pages numerous images – a faithful facsimile including the odd light stain from the original.

Ford was a steward on the Discovery Expedition and was the first person to beak his leg on the Antarctic when he was skiing. He was so well regarded that on return he acted as Scott’s secretary during his extensive leaders lecture tour.

Try to find an original if you can – the next best thing is this unusual collection from the Polar mad Erskine Press .

$85.00

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Deco Howdah Elephant Bookends – Aronson 1923

Waller’s Owl [Australian Eastern Grass owl] -Silvester Diggles – Brisbane – c1870

Lord Howe Island – Jean Edgecombe.

Pig Raising in Tasmania – V.J. Fagan

Australian Antarctic Expedition 1911-14. Scientific Reports Series C – Zoology and Botany – Vol VIII Part III – Echinodermata Echinoidea [Urchins].

Antarctica – Reginald Ford

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