Queensland

[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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Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

Lionel Ball was the Assistant Government Geologist at the time and author of many of the good standard surveys at the very start of the 1900’s.

Bound in original olive green card covers. Title to front and repeated inside. A total of 11 pages with map of area and two images from photographs – the Hill and the Main Workings.has been folded at some time causing minor splits, generally a good copy.

Oaks View Hill is near Canoona, four miles north of the then Oaks Station and, 45 miles from Rockhampton.

The hill is about half a mile long and one third across rising to 150 feet – the rocks are chiefly quartzites and schists.

In October 1903, W.S. Thomason discovered gold on the surface at Oaks View Hill. Nothing was done until the following February when on showing the place to relatives, some minor effort showed payable gold. Reward claims were allotted and the good results started a mini-rush. By the end of 1904 a company was floated and capital raised. Other adventurers took up positions around the primary claim.

The small but detailed sketch map has some curiosity as in the finest of hands someone with clear interest has made annotations.

We do know that Ball came back the next year and things has moved forward significantly with heavy gear having been purchased. However, there were issues with the lack of water, and we are not sure what eventuated.

The history is difficult to track and can be easily confused with the Oaks Mine further north

The beginning of a story? The discovery of payable gold at oaks View Hill.

$50.00

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Gold Workings at Perry Scrub – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 184 – Lionel C Ball – 1903

Lionel Ball was the Assistant Government Geologist at the time and author of many of the good standard surveys at the very start of the 1900’s.

Bound in original olive green card covers. Title to front and repeated inside. Narrative comprises 14 pages with map of area and relevant diagrams.

“The Perry (Good-night or Tenningering) Scrub extends in the form of a narrow belt from saint Agnes Creek, on the north, to the Burnett River west of Paradise, on the south, crossing the Perry River about 6 miles above its junction with the Burnett”.

The conclusion is ambivalent – a number of early diggings have been abandoned – others showing some promise. The key thing being loads of surface quartz so really those trying were scratching. Even today a wonder around the area can show up some decent nuggets – see online.

Perry Scrub another neglected one to ponder about

$50.00

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Mining by W.D. & H.O. Wills – hard to find complete set of 50 cards circa 1912 issued by Wills of Bristol and London.

Very good condition, now protected in standard card wallets.

Seven cards represent Coal Mining featuring Miner Holing; Miner Drilling and Blasting; Electric Coal Cutters; Electric Train; Taking Coal to Pit Mouth by Pony; At the Bottom of the Shaft; Sorting and Cleaning Coal and the all important Mine Surveyor.

Cards specific to Australia include B.H.P. Silver Mine Mechanical Feed and a General View of the Mine … Mount Morgan Gold (with it interesting story) anD Digging and Washing Sapphires in Queensland.

The rest Of the world is represented including Asbestos at Thetford Canada; China Clay at St Austell Cornwall; Copper at the famous Rio Tinto Mine Spain; Diamonds at Kimberley; Tin at Perak Malaya; Turquoises from Nishapour, Persia; Rock salt in Cheshire; Rubies from Burma etc etc

Large 50 card Mining set over 100 years old.

$120.00

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Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell [With Help from Norman Ellison] – First Edition 1936

An extremely rare first edition of Shark Hunter Norman Caldwell’s classic book.

Written in conjunction with Norman Ellison. Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1936.

Thick octavo, 282 pages, illustrated throughout with images from original photographs, diagrams of shark catching techniques, end paper maps. Missing the original dust jacket but rare as is in original green cloth covered binding. Some foxing as usual given nature of paper.

Caldwell could see money in catching sharks – his hunting ground was in Queensland between Repulse Bay and Gloucester Island taking in the Whitsundays.

Obviously if you don’t have the appetite for shark hunting this is not the book for you. Caldwell also went after and caught “big Fish” other than sharks and Rays and massive Grouper Fish were within his aim.

The book has taken on almost legendary status and sought after by those with a bit of Hemingway and Lee Marvin in them.

Caldwell’s Fangs one for the game fisherman

$190.00

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[Queensland] Thomas Welsby – The Collected Works – Two Volumes

Important two volume set constituting Welsby’s books on Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Stradbroke and Bribie Islands.

Published by Jacaranda Press, Brisbane in 1967/68. Large octavo, 397 pages and 427 pages with 54 plates, maps etc. Both volumes in very good condition with complete dust jackets.

Includes Schnappering in Early Moreton Bay [orig. 1905]; Discoverer’s of the Brisbane River [orig. 1913]; Memories of Amity (Stradbroke) [orig. 1922]; Sport and Pastime in Moreton Bay [orig. 1931 and Bribie the Basket Maker [orig 1937]. All very difficult to get in original form.

Born in Ipswich in 1858 worked first as a banker before becoming a member of the Legislative Assembly. He lived in New Farm and spent much of his leisure time on the Bay. A founding member of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, holding positions in numerous other organisations – he died in 1941.

The collective work of an important historic Queensland identity

$340.00

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

Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

Gold Workings at Perry Scrub – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 184 – Lionel C Ball – 1903

Mining by W.D. & H.O. Wills – hard to find complete set of 50 cards circa 1912 issued by Wills of Bristol and London.

Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell [With Help from Norman Ellison] – First Edition 1936

[Queensland] Thomas Welsby – The Collected Works – Two Volumes

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