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Non-fiction

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  • Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

    Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

    Scarce, one of the prized early New Guinea accounts. Published by Sampson Low, London 1883 a first edition.

    Octavo, 283 pages including vocabulary of words. 5 full page plates and 29 illustrations in the text plus four pages with illustrations on New Britain sign language. Folding sketch survey of the North-east Portion of New Britain by the author. A little ribbing to the cloth on the front board and age toning near the ends otherwise a very good copy.

    The book begins with the selection of an appropriate vessel, the ketch Star of the preparation and departure from Sydney. An eventful voyage with waterspouts, recounting the tragedy of Lizard Island (gruesome) … remarkable whirlpool near the Duke of York Islands. Reaching Matupi Island. Visiting George Brown first white in the region. Port Hunter natives, first signs of cannibalism … the Duk-duk. To Kininigunun and a native battle. To Spacious Bay with Brown and more hostilities, full on volcanic eruption. The murder of the teachers, forced to fight, saving the native women. Turtle catching and wife hunting .. exploration of the interior … natives board vessel and destroy everything.

    We lost track of how many times Powell escaped from danger …

    Wilfred Powell early adventures in New Britain

    $190.00

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  • Jenolan Caves (The Underground Wonderland) New South Wales, Australia – H. Phillips –  c1910

    Jenolan Caves (The Underground Wonderland) New South Wales, Australia – H. Phillips – c1910

    Superior period view book of the glorious Jenolan Caves. Photographed, printed and published by H Phillips (1873-1844) of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.

    This is a scarce edition with superior illustrated cover and more images than his more standard work on the Jenolan Caves. No date but circa 1910. Not in Trove.

    Landscape presentation … soft covers with exotic gilt title and illustration to front. 30cm by 24cm with title page, 2 page introduction plus 49 pages of plates, 3 of which are double folding with five excellent panoramas. Captioned images include …The Grand arch; Carlotta Arch; Devil’s Coach House and Bridge from Lucas Entrance; Grand Stalactites Imperial Cave; The Giant Shawl; Cleopatra’s Needle; Mons Meg; The Proscenium; Brookes Column; Crystal Palace; The Mystery; The Willows Nettle cave; Gem of the South etc etc

    Beautiful record of the Jenolan Caves by Harry Phillips

    $80.00

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  • Spotted Seal (Phoque de Choris) – Lesson – Paris 1838

    Spotted Seal (Phoque de Choris) – Lesson – Paris 1838

    Original hand coloured engraving drawn by Antoine Charles Vauthier and engraved by Smith. Good strong clean example.

    Produced for Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849) for his extension of the great natural history work originally produced by Count Buffon. They were published in Paris in 1838. Interesting that Lesson himself originally classified this species.

    The spotted seal inhabits the Arctic regions, at one time thought to be endangered but now seen in large numbers from Alaska right through Northern Siberia.

    Very good condition, clean with bright colours and a sophisticated stipple technique. Strong thick paper.. 24cm by 17cm unframed … external dimensions when framed would be 36cm by 28cm a nice size for the study or hallway.

    Lesson participated as doctor and naturalist in the Duperry voyage round the world on board La Coquille (1822-1825).

    Price $90.00 unframed or $220.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style … enquire if you wish …

    The spotted seal now quite often seen!

    $90.00

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  • Slow-paced Dwarf Lemur – by Shaw & Nodder -1790

    Slow-paced Dwarf Lemur – by Shaw & Nodder -1790

    An original copper engraved hand coloured engraving of the Slow-paced Lemur from Madagascar published in London in 1790 by Shaw & Nodder.

    The Madagascan dwarf lemur …. bigger than the mouse lemur but still only 20cm long … and rather skinny when at full stretch … Surely one of the cutest of all mammals.

    George Shaw was in charge of the Natural History Department at the British Museum. Nodder was a natural history artist and worked for Banks on his Florilegium.

    Price $220.00 farmed in Voyager Natural History style. Enquire if you wish.

    Slow – paced Lemur – we love him!

    $190.00

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  • South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

    South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

    An original hand coloured engraving using the stipple technique published as part of the “Dictionniare des Sciences Naturelles” by Dumont de Saint-Croix published in Paris c1820’s. Engraved by Stranhi after an image by Pretre.

    At the time the Aguti (Agouti) and Paca were thought to be of the same family group … not so now .. they have different toe arrangements etc.

    They are however, both herbivorous rodents and among the largest in the world.

    The Paca can achieve a weight of 14kg on a good diet and is the more attractive with its sides patterned with spots and stripes. There are two distinct types … the lowland variety cab be found all the way from Northern Argentina to Mexico. A smaller Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Paramo grasslands.

    The Agouti is generally a smaller animal weighing in around 4 kgs. They are pretty shy compared with the Paca and pretty scared of humanoids. They prevail over much of the middle and north of South America and in the West Indies.

    Price $160.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style ….

    South American Rodents – rather cute – and large

    $160.00

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  • Australian Natural History Trade Cards

    Australian Natural History Trade Cards

    A group of five natural history trade cards all from different sources two of which are circa 100 year old (Wills and Liebig).

    Bright and clean the largest being Liebig’s Black Cockatoo which is 116mm by 70mm.

    Two cards represents the Tasmanian Devil and the narrative on both sadly reflects an earlier period when their numbers were reduced as a result on attacks on poultry and sheep. The Platypus looks like the larger Tasmanian type and is curiously described as a Duckbill or Platypus. The Bennett’s Wallaby is shown feeding and carrying a joey.

    Nice mixed group – Australian wildlife theme

    $50.00

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