Non-fiction

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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New South Wales Military Uniforms – A collection of images

A collection of images of early and unusual New South Wales military uniforms – from the Boer War and earlier up to the Great War.

Housed in a typical 1980’s photograph album with the convenient static assisted flip of sleeve allowing easy access to the items. Some have interesting notes to rear. All up 19 images, many large. Some Army promotional photographs, others photographic reproductions of early images, the odd postcard style.

Some specifically identified … Sgt J Barracluff, Sydney Troop, NSW Cavalry Regt who we learn was a member of the tournament team sent to Great Britain, 1893- awarded 2nd Prize (equal) for Tilting at R.I.M. Tournament, Dublin 1893. A nice early image of the NSW Army Medical Corps at the Boer war. Sqn Sgt Maj W.H. Davies c1905-1912 in full dress review order. And, drummer Bert Taylor with second set of Drum Banners c1900 on his Drum Horse. Possibly our favourite – the “Cycle Section” many with turned down handle bars … and gaiters …

A nice diverse collection of NSW historical military uniform images.

$140.00

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Biggles in Borneo – Capt W.E. Johns – First Australian Edition 1946

A first Australian edition of a scarce early Biggles with its original dust jacket – we emphasise original as some are sold with colour photocopies these days – we find that all a bit naff.

Published in 1946 by Geoffrey Cumberledge for Oxford University Press, Melbourne. The UK edition came out during WWII in 1943. Octavo, 183 pages, toned a bit still on the war paper, aged to top etc, but not a bad dust jacket at all, which makes the book. A good and collectable copy.

Subtitled …A “Biggles Squadron” Story of the Second Great War. Having just proved invaluable in the “Battle of Britain” the squadron find themselves in the heart Borneo where they set up an aerodrome unknown to the Japanese – they downs ships and rescue prisoners … the aerodrome is eventually taken over by the Royal Australian Airforce.

One of the scarce Biggles in its jacket and with a handover to the Aussies.

$70.00

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The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

A very scarce dedication to Richard John Randall (1869-1906), Queensland Artist. As you can see he died early – of a suggested brain tumour. In such a short time he had produced an incredibly broad body of work – he was a poet also.

No date of publication, we can only find the National Library copy and they suggest with a ? 1919 – we think maybe 1907 because of a memoriam dated such, at the very back, from his father.

His father George was involved in immigration and spent quite some time in England. Richard accompanied him on an extended stay in early adulthood and studied under known English landscape masters .. Randall himself was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art for his “Hay Mill”.

His death was a tragic jolt for his father George who spent many years afterwards promoting his sons works – he commissioned this Catalogue of Works.

Softcover, 90 pages, illustrated throughout with images of the paintings and super images of his studios and the official collection of his works which were donated to a named gallery at the City Hall. Very good 12 page narrative appreciation to front.

There is a further story if you have the patience for it. Randall’s Studio was preserved in South Brisbane but came under pressure from developers in the 1990’s – the type that knocked things down in the night – then and still now. The top floor was preserved and it was moved by the Council – it then suffered from neglect and vandalism and was moved again to the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens – you can see it there near the car park.

John Randall perhaps up there for Queensland’s greatest artist taken early but left a lot.

$140.00

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19thC French Heraldry – Nouveau Manuel Complet Du Blason ou Code Heraldique – Pautet – 1854 – Special Fine Leather Binding from the Library of The Convent of the Birds – Notre Dame

Published in 1854, a new edition, small thick octavo, 340 pages and ten extraordinary multiple folding plates.

Bound in rich crimson leather, raised bands to spine with five compartments, separate title label, gilt decorations to other compartments and authors name at top and even more discrete perhaps the binders name at bottom. Front and back boards panelled in gilt with decorations and heraldic shield to front, page edges richly gilt.

Carries the unusual and large bookplate of the “Maison des Oiseux” which shows two kneeling angels adoring flaming hearts, one pierced by a dagger the other crown of thorns …engraved by Chezoud of Rue de la Verrerie No55, Paris.

Long regarded as a fine book on Heraldry and French Coat of Arms this book is “made” by its impressive engravings – and this copy in a binding to die for.

Heraldry French style dressed to impress for the Convent of the Birds

$180.00

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Sky Pilot’s Last Flight – K Langford Smith

First edition, published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1936.

Octavo,250 pages, blue cloth covered boards, slightly canted and a few innocent marks internally. Illustrated throughout from period photographs.

Super Australian aviation rarity and the author’s experiences flying in Arnhem Land in Australia’s extreme north. Flying in and out of Roper River Mission, Groote Eylandt, Mataranka and Goulburn Island. Written in an easy story telling manner – Idriess like is what we call it.

Sky Pilot in the Far North in the early 1930’s

$65.00

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

New South Wales Military Uniforms – A collection of images

Biggles in Borneo – Capt W.E. Johns – First Australian Edition 1946

The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

19thC French Heraldry – Nouveau Manuel Complet Du Blason ou Code Heraldique – Pautet – 1854 – Special Fine Leather Binding from the Library of The Convent of the Birds – Notre Dame

Sky Pilot’s Last Flight – K Langford Smith

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