Queensland

Bulldozer – Michael Terry – Rare – signed by Terry and with an interesting note by recipient.

Explorer adventurer Michael Terry was excluded from the War effort in WWII because of previous health issues and maybe he was getting on. This did not stop him assisting the war effort of the N.S.W. Department of Main Roads. After all, at the time he was likely Australia’s most notable modern inland adventurer. On one of his famous 1920’s expedition he drove a Model T Ford from Queensland to Broome in WA. His further explorations by camel and tractor gave rise to several highly collectable travel accounts.

Published by the State Government in 1945. Perfect bound, decorative card covers, 260 pages, illustrated from period photographs. Super scarce … no other obvious copies available. Signed boldly by Terry near front. A little age as you would expect, still a very good copy.

The premise of the book may sound a bit dull. Fear not the NSW infrastructure people had quite different role because of the War and assisting communication throughout Australia was one of them and it did not stop there … with involvement in Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific etc. Terry has a style, reflected in his earlier writing ‘Across Unknown Australia” etc that takes you to the moment of his adventures and observations, many references to individuals and their exploits. We also have the bombing of Darwin and the making of the Brisbane Line difficulties with a Diving Bell etc.

At front is a very interesting note likely by the recipient “Beau” …. “Michael Terry was my friend. He served as a Marine in Russia in the war subsequent to WWI [Terry was an armoured car driver – he was captured and narrowly escaped execution by the Bolsheviks] … he travelled inland Australia and wrote about it. He was a F.R.G.S … He would now be at least 100 … 24th October 77 …” and other reminiscences. The writer quite wrong about Terry’s age, he would have been 78 at the time this note was written … time has a way of clouding the memory.

Michael Terry a scarce and unusual account …

$80.00

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Titans of the Barrier Reef [Further Adventures of a Shark Fisherman] – Norman Caldwell – First Edition 1938

A nice first edition of the follow up book to Fangs of the Sea by shark hunter extraordinaire Norman Caldwell

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1938. Thick octavo, 248 pages, illustrated throughout with images from original photographs of the “’catch” and the odd snake etc, end paper maps. Missing the dust jacket but rare as is in emerald original green cloth covered binding, very slightly cocked, very clean inside a very good copy.

Still hunting along the east coast of Australia, mainly in Queensland on the Barrier Reef from the Whitsundays up to Caldwell. An unusual in the moment narrative like its predecessor, sometime drifting into a story telling style in the manner of Idriess. Fascinating “sharky” encounters and the odd 500plus pound Grouper, as in “Fangs”. Photographic images are classic … Caldwell had a rather strange passion of photographing his wife with the caught beauties, posing in a sometimes unusual fashion.

Caldwell the Shark Hunter more than just Fangs

$140.00

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Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell – 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, very slightly cocked, very clean inside a pretty good copy. Best obviously available currently.

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

$270.00

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Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

A rare book published by Watson and Ferguson, Brisbane in 1949. George Cooling was a pupil and later Master at the illustrious Brisbane Boys Grammar. Written with a hint of Wodehouse; he may certainly qualify as a “Villian”… with his frank expose of goings on … with often tongue planted firmly in cheek. The story of the teaching of sex education and the parents attempts with the birds and the bees is very funny … young boy at Church wedding of his elder sister shouts out to his mother … “When is he going to give her his pollen?” .. priceless.

Octavo, 254 pages, a trifle cocked as with all W & F books, very clean and with a very good dust jacket. The odd cartoon illustration by McClure.

The art on the dust jacket is really super and makes the book. For those that know the history of Pink Floyd, think of the Cartoon images drawn by the great Gerald Scarfe to accompany “One More Brick in the Wall” … was this the inspiration? Doubt it, but what a coincidence. “Hey Teacher Leave us Kids Alone”.

Essential Grammar related book … but any Brisbanite will love and cherish it.

$60.00

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Scents of Flying – Maki Horanai and Hillel Weintraub

Self published hand made by Mountain Dreams Press in 2010. A special beautiful book displaying the highly original artwork of Maki Horanai.

Unpaginated but 28 pages of thick handmade paper so lovely you could eat it. Fourteen images by Horanai, alternating full page and double page. Signed boldly on the front pastedown by the artist and the wordsmith Hillel Weintrub. The image of the title, an element of “Homage” is repeated pasted to the front boards. Boards covered in rich handmade paper.

As you can tell … we love it.

Wish and you could be a “Sky Carpet Traveller”

$70.00

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The Arbouin Copper Mines at Cardross on the Chillagoe Mineral Field, North Queensland – Lionel Ball – 1918

Queensland Department of Mines publication no 261 by Lionel Ball B.E. published in Brisbane in 1918. At that time Ball was the Government Geologist. The mines also produced some gold and silver.

Seventy pages still in the original olive green paper wrapper. Illustrated with a map, diagrams and images from photographs taken by the author. Previous ownership name etc on title otherwise clean and bright.

William Hahn, in exploring the Tate to the Walsh river traversed the outskirts of the field in 1872. After that likewise Mulligan the explorer whilst marking a road from the Etheridge to Palmer Goldfields passed within sight of the Mountain Maid cupriferous outcrop. It was not until 1897 that the true resources of the area were more properly understood when Arbouin and Harkins came upon the outcrops known as the Klondyke. Logan Jack visited the resulting field a year later and was most impressed with the possibilities. Unfortunately costs were high in this region and whilst there were some successes the outbreak of WWI put paid to that as many of the men involved enlisted and few sadly returned.

The publication starts with the usual history of the region also addressing previous publications.

A comprehensive report on the geology of the area .. pre-Silurian schistose rocks; Amphibolites; Pegmatites; Permian Elvans etc.

Ore deposits … their origin, lode channels, formations and ore shoots.

Mineralogy and the distribution of elements and the occurrence of minerals … many in form.

A Register of Holdings; Mining operations; Treatment carried out in terms of ore dressing and some smelting.

The Queensland Chillagoe Mines – A scarce and curious one ..

$60.00

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Bulldozer – Michael Terry – Rare – signed by Terry and with an interesting note by recipient.

Titans of the Barrier Reef [Further Adventures of a Shark Fisherman] – Norman Caldwell – First Edition 1938

Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell – First Edition 1936

Here’s a Villian [Concerning Brisbane Boys Grammar] – George Carson Cooling – First Edition Scarce 1949

Scents of Flying – Maki Horanai and Hillel Weintraub

The Arbouin Copper Mines at Cardross on the Chillagoe Mineral Field, North Queensland – Lionel Ball – 1918

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