Non-fiction

Return to Tahiti – Bligh’s Second Breadfruit Voyage – Douglas Oliver – 1988

First edition published by Melbourne University [Miegunyah Press] in 1988. A super fine copy.

The first voyage written about a thousand times and in film of various qualities. The second successful voyage less well covered. This excellent book by Douglas Oliver covers it well.

Small quarto, 281 pages, illustrated to a high standard as you would expect from the Miegunyah Press, Melbourne.

After scholarly introductions we the Preparations for the Voyage and the outward journey first to Tasmania … then on to Tahiti and goings on at Matavai Bay. The return voyage with the true “Bounty”.

Bligh and the Breadfruit – finally

$45.00

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Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

A very nice cased English drum or field microscope. We have identified this exact type including accessories in the J.H. Steward Catalogue for 1871 so we can date it pretty well – see image of catalogue page with full description.

Original mahogany case with internal compartments circa 21cm x 8cm x 7cm. It has a crack in the lid of no structural consequence. Overall, a lovely patina superior to the usual pine equivalents.

Microscope in good condition with original eyepiece, three numbered objectives – instructions claim to give maximum magnification of 10,000 times.

Also provided is a brass box with a glass bottom usually for aquatic objects also crystals, salts etc. An insect box for small live insects. Five [would have been six] named paper covered prepared slides original to the set.

Extra special, almost unheard of, we still have the original “printed directions” with schematic of the microscope and accessories. Put back together by someone else with Sellotape

A super example of this upmarket drum style brass microscope.

Steward’s Catalogue goes on … “For Utility, Portability, and Cheapness, this Instrument is not equalled; and to convey some idea of its power, a Microscopic Photograph of the “Trial of Pickwick”, containing upwards 9,000 letters, and occupying the space of a pin’s head, when placed under this Instrument every word can be rad with the greatest ease”

1870’s Quality identified drum microscope with original accessories and printed directions.

$360.00

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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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Il a ete prime – Pochoir by Gose – Gazette du Bon Ton 1914

A beautiful hand coloured “Pochoir” by Francisco Javer Gose (1868-1915) for the Paris Gazette du Bon Ton published in 1914.

“Il a ete prime” he was rewarded – as is she with the stunning deco evening outfit. Technically before the advent of deco but surely, she is a deco lady with her deco accoutrements.

The hobble skirt in silk particular to a tight [pun] fashion period which ended circa this date. The hobble skirt was designed after Mrs Edith Berg tied up her skirt to stop it flapping as she became the first aircraft passenger – look it up its an interesting by-story.

The ultimate in fashion print from a perfect era.

Price $180.00 unframed

One of the most sophisticated Bon Ton’s

$180.00

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A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen’s Land – by George Evans – First Edition 1822

A very good copy of the first edition of this important early book devoted to Tasmania, published by Souter London in 1822. Octavo, xii, 140 pages with 2 tables and lists plus the famous frontispiece a very early engraved folding view of Hobart after a sketch by the author. Bound in original papered boards [rare to be as issued] with a later somewhat crude calf spine. A hint of foxing and the odd crease otherwise as good a copy as one will find.

Carries the armorial bookplate John Francis Basset (1831-1869), on the front pastedown. The Basset’s were Norman settlers following William the Conquerer. They had a large country home Tehidy Park in Cornwall. A long line of Basset’s were the High Sheriff of Cornwall including John Francis.

and the later bookplate of Salve, Lowenac, Camborne. Cambourne is also in Cornwall and there is a nice Hotel at Lowenac … Salve, we believe, is a local greeting … good wishes, best of health etc.

Title continues… with Important Hints to Emigrants, and Useful Information respecting the Application for Grants of Land; together with a List of the Most Necessary Articles For Persons to Take Out etc. The whole “embellished by a Correct View of Hobart Town”.

Contents include – Advertisement by the Editor (dealing with the Lieutenant Jeffrey’s book that plagiarised Evans). A general description of the discovery and exploration of the island, early population; climate and seasonal issues and a description of its topography and agricultural possibilities; the towns and villages, roads, commerce and field sports and the bushrangers. The appendices detail land granted in the Colony.

A good copy of a scarce early Tasmanian item

SO SORRY ON HOLD – ENQUIRE IF YOU WISH

$740.00

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Siluria – The History of the Oldest Known Rocks Containing Organic Remains; with a Brief Sketch of the Distribution of Gold Over the Earth – Sir Roderick Impey Murchison – First Edition 1854

A very good copy of the first edition of this most important scientific work, published by John Murray, London in 1854.

Thick Royal Octavo, bound in full leather, separate green leather title label, gilt decorations to compartments on the spine. Marbled end papers with the marbling continuing to the page edges, boards with decorative edge gilding to front, back and edge. 523 pages after preliminaries, followed by 37 lithographed plates of the principal Silurian fossils, with descriptive letterpress, folding world map at page 475. Separate folding Geological Map of the Silurian Rocks in pocket at rear.

The coloured folding map (53cm by 43cm) published under Murray drawn by J.W. Lowry and lithographed by Vincent Brooks is a first edition dated 1853 of the Geological Map of the Silurian Rocks and overlying formations as developed in Wales and the Adjacent Parts of England, chiefly prepared for the Geological Survey of Great Britain. It is in very good condition, cloth backed likely at the time of binding.

The plates are well executed, many by James De Carle Sowerby (1787-1872) eldest son of the great James Sowerby and founder of the Royal Botanical Society.

Roderick Impey Murchison (1792-1871) was an incredible individual. Scottish born, born into a wealthy, and was sent to Durham for schooling at the age of 7, after the death of his father. He joined the military and at 16 saw action in the Peninsula War. In 1818 he met Sir Humphrey Davy who persuaded him to pursue science. He joined the Royal Geological Society … his colleagues included, William Buckland, Charles Lyell and Darwin. He worked with Lyell on the geology of the Alps. In the 1830’s he did much research in and around the England Wales border and through that established the Silurian system and then went on to categorise the Devonian and Permian systems.

In 1845 Murchison new several Cornish miners who were off to Australia to explore for gold. They sent back samples … so Murchison new of the discovery of gold in Australia before Edward Hargraves.

He won many distinguished awards including the Royal Society Copley Medal, the Geological Society Wollaston Medal, and the Edinburgh Brisbane Medal (Another Australian connection). Also, many overseas awards. He was President of the Royal Geographical Society on four separate occasions, importantly he was one of the founders in 1830.

A crater on the Moon is named after him as well as geographical features in Greenland, USA, Canada, Antarctica, Uganda. In Australia the Murchison River with its tributaries named, Roderick and Impey.

Murchison and Siluria – First Edition Cornerstone Geology from distinguished author Murchison.

$690.00

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Return to Tahiti – Bligh’s Second Breadfruit Voyage – Douglas Oliver – 1988

Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

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

Il a ete prime – Pochoir by Gose – Gazette du Bon Ton 1914

A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen’s Land – by George Evans – First Edition 1822

Siluria – The History of the Oldest Known Rocks Containing Organic Remains; with a Brief Sketch of the Distribution of Gold Over the Earth – Sir Roderick Impey Murchison – First Edition 1854

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