Prestige Items

Charles Darwin – The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Earthworms – 1883

Published London 1883 by John Murray. An early edition, first published in 1881. It was extremely popular at the time – this super copy is from the seventh thousand.

Original deep green cloth covered boards, with blind impressed lines as decoration to boards, title gilt in gilt decoration on spine. Octavo, 328 pages Illustrated with tables and drawings. Very good condition – best we have seen.

Darwin’s last published work. This volume looks at the life and activity of the earthworm, and the share they have taken in the formation of the layer of vegetable mould which covers the whole surface in every moderately humid country. It is a summary of the part which worms have played in the history of the world. Their aid in the disintegration of rocks, the denudation of the land, the preservation of ancient remains, and the preparation of the soil for the growth of plants. A fascinating look at one of the lowliest but highly organised creatures of the world by the legendary Victorian Naturalist.

Darwin his final thoughts – in the soil getting his hands dirty.

SO SORRY ON HOLD – PLEASE ENQUIRE IF YOU WISH

$380.00

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Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

A most unusual example and one that warrants further research … we are not entirely sure who the owner was – but she was posh – there are a few clues – and the contributors are also somewhat elusive – we have tracked down a couple of distinguished types.

Landscape format, approximately 70 or so leaves, marbled covered boards, leather bound as original, some pages loose but we have left it as original.

Commonplace books were, as the name goes, commonplace … they were kept as a repository of information of interest to the owner. What is much more unusual is that this one has been circulated among many contributors and must have taken a logistics exercise to keep it under control.

Overall, there are 12 artistic contributions including six watercolours. There are over 35 contributions of original poetry. Enough items are dated to give us our 1822/23 description.

Included, and now at the right page is a letter from Charles R Forrester apologising to “Honoured Madam” for “detaining your “Album” and to so little purpose as to have received a trifling addition as the lines which are offered for your approval- Their sole merit consists in their being Original and being written by “originals” and believe me Madam with the utmost respect” etc etc. the writer Charles Forester [1803-1850] was a well published poet and author – but just to make it hard often under a variety of pseudonyms. Likewise, his brother Alfred was a literary illustrator. Other poems include words from the Rev. John Marriot who was a chum of Sir Walter Scott – they used to discuss poetry together.

It’s a nice thing and a couple of the artistic contributions show some talent, standard of poetry likewise – the Zephyr and the Rose especially – and perfect handwriting even when dainty.

Please never submit this item to AI or SI for that matter.

Over 200 years old a veritable time-capsule awaiting further exploration and/or to be enjoyed.

$290.00

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The Menzies Era. The Years that Shaped Modern Australia – John Howard – Signed Edition

John Howard’s comprehensive account and views on the Menzies era.

Published by Harper Collins, Sydney in 2014. Fine hardback with very good dust jacket, 717 pages with useful index and illustrations from relevant photographs.

Signed boldly by the former Prime Minister on the title page.

John Howard and an impressive work on the era that shaped Australia more than any. Probably no better scholar on the subject.

$80.00

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Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

First US Edition published by Stokes, New York in 1923 – Scarce. Carries the imprint of Cassell, London Publisher, on spine.

Thick large octavo, xvi, and 372 pages, illustrated throughout from relevant photographs, maps etc. Decorated sky blue boards making a very attractive presentation. Scattered pale foxing aside a very good collectable copy.

Written by Commander Frank Wild C.B.E. from the Official Journal and Private Diary kept by Dr A.H. Macklin.

Shackleton driven to be in the Antarctic went back a fourth and for him final time in 1921.

The vessel the ill suited “Quest” a converted Norwegian sealer. The objectives were rather imprecise but included a circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent. Early in the voyage (at Rio) Shackleton had a suspected heart attack. He pushed on refusing proper treatment. On the 4^th January 1922 at South Georgia in the early hours of the morning he suffered a fatal attack.

The events are recorded here by his right-hand man Frank Wild (he had been on very Shackleton expedition). Wild believed that the “Boss” would have desired them to go on with the mission – which they did, and this is the record of the whole of the voyage and effort. In accordance with the widows wishes Shackleton was buried on South Georgia – later Frank Wild’s ashes were interred alongside Shackleton’s grave.

Shackleton and Wild no braver combination.

$890.00

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Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

Admiral Bying was famously executed on his ship at Plymouth having been found guilty of retiring against the enemy [cowardice].

It was a terrible set-up and much information was withheld during his Trial and much more was bent out of shape – noting much changed there!

An anonymous author but obviously with many contacts relevant to the matter.

A pamphlet printed by J Cooke at the King’s Arms, Great Turnstile, Holborn [London] in 1756. Saddle stitch as original 31 pages, pretty good condition, very clean.

Contains extracts from numerous contemporary reports and letters and a set of tables that prove the assertion that Byng retreated from and “inferior” force to be very wrong.

Byng a thorough rebuttal of the case against him – but too late.

SO SORRY SOLD

$150.00

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[important Aboriginal Content] Where Strange Paths Go Down – Alice Duncan-Kemp

This would appear to be the most collectable and cherished edition published in 1964 by Smith and Paterson, Brisbane. Previously issued in 1952.

Thick royal octavo, xxxii and 299 pages over 200 plates from photographs, artwork by James Wienke. Endpaper maps. Some age but otherwise an excellent very good copy.

Alice Duncan-Kemp [1901-1988] was brought up on Mooraberrie Station west of Windarah in the far west of south Queensland. Her brother and father died before she was seven years old and she was brought up by her mother who decided to stay on the property assisted by local aboriginals. Because of these circumstances Alice’s relationship with the aboriginals was intimate – she and her sister would go on extended mustering trips etc during which she would learn aboriginal ways and hear about heir customs, folklore etc. As well as the history of frontier conflict and resistance.

Her knowledge, set down in this book is both unique and extensive. The photographic imagery that supports the text makes the work that more special.

Treasured work by Duncan-Kemp

$390.00

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Charles Darwin – The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Earthworms – 1883

Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

The Menzies Era. The Years that Shaped Modern Australia – John Howard – Signed Edition

Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

[important Aboriginal Content] Where Strange Paths Go Down – Alice Duncan-Kemp

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