Queensland

The Wild White Man of Badu – Ion Idriess – First Edition – Signed

A scarce first edition published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1950. Signed and inscribed boldly by Idriess on the title to his dear friend Frances Van Cleef, wife of a wealth Chicago industrialist.

Octavo, 232 pages, well illustrated with images from photographs, maps of the islands, end paper maps etc. Small chips and closed tear to otherwise very good dust jacket, clean inside a super copy.

The incredible true story of a convict escaping from Norfolk Island and becoming the Chief of Badu, in the Torres Strait. See image of map on rear end papers for some clues.

Strange and exciting Farthest North – Signed Idriess First Edition

$120.00

Updating cart…

Wealth in the Wilderness – Arthur Groom – First edition 1955

A first edition of Arthur Groom’s final travel book in the outback of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1955. Octavo, 198 pages, end paper maps and illustrated throughout from photographs taken along the way by the author.

The end paper maps are the best reference to the progress and extent of his journey all undertaken in a period utility of low horse power. A charming narrative that keeps the readers interest with many relevant illustrations.

Arthur Groom out in the outback one last time.

$35.00

Updating cart…

Disturbing Element [An Autobiography] – Xavier Herbert – First Edition 1963

A very nice first edition copy of Australian writer Xavier Herbert’s autobiography.

Born in 1901 Xavier Herbert had a rather strange upbringing. He trained as a Pharmacist having worked in a chemist’s shop at the age of 14. He went to Melbourne to study medicine. Writing was a passion but he was in his thirties before his great work “Capricornia” was published to great acclaim. He was much admired by HG Wells.

Xavier Herbert was the “Disturbing Element’. Published by F.W. Cheshire, Melbourne etc in 1963. Octavo, 271 pages, a very good if not better copy.

Xavier Herbert published few works and his final novel “Poor Fellow My Country” was published in 1975 and won him the Miles Franklin award. It is also the longest novel ever published by an Australian writer at 1,466 pages and an estimated 852 thousand words

Interesting autobiography of the elusive talented Xavier Herbert.

$30.00

Updating cart…

Captain James Cook – The Greatest Discoverer [Hordern House Reference]

Well, another magnificent Hordern House production. A catalogue of encyclopedic quality and proportions to reflect the once only collection of Robert and Mary Anne Parks.

No Cook devotee or great voyages enthusiast should be without this incredible reference to 133 works some unique some so rare that they make one shimmer with envy.

Cook delights dished up on quality service.

$40.00

Updating cart…

No Image Available

Queensland Geographical Journal – Diamond Jubilee Issue 1885-1945. Also has important Papua New Guinea content.

The journal as published by the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Queensland). Octavo, soft wrappers, 113 pages after preliminaries. A very good copy bar the obvious marks to the covers … pretty clean and bright inside.

After various historic introductions articles re “Queensland Pastures – Their Development and Improvement; Across Papua’s Mighty Delta by A.L. Ethell; Irrigation (Queensland); The Interior of Eastern Papua by Captain Vernon.

Nicely illustrated and with a fold out sketch map from Bootless Bay (near Port Moresby) to Buna showing a vertical cross section of the Kokoda track … the article stimulated by the incredible conflict that had just come to an end in the region.

A special issue of the RGSA (Qld) Journal with particular interest to New Guinea collectors and readers.

$50.00

Updating cart…

Silvester Diggles – Australian Birds – Pied Honey-eater, Slender-billed Spine-bill and the White eye-browed Spine-bill

Rare original hand-coloured lithograph by Queensland naturalist Silvester Diggles. Published as part of his magnificent work “”The Ornithology of Australia” between 1866 and 1870 in twenty-one parts by Pugh of Brisbane, in a very limited edition. By the time part sixteen was published there were only 92 subscribers. The original plates were executed by Diggles and his niece, Rowena Birkett.

The work measures 38cm by 27cm, good hand colouring pretty clean with just the odd surface mark. A really scarce item.

Silvester Diggles (1817-1880) artist and musician born in Liverpool, England. He came to Australia in 1853 settling in Brisbane where he taught music and drawing. Diggles was a founder of the Brisbane Choral Society in 1859 and the Philharmonic Society in 1861 known as “the father of music in Brisbane”. Diggles was also a founder of the Queensland Philosophical Society and helped establish the Museum. His greatest work was The Ornithology of Australia. However it nearly sent him broke. His health deteriorated worry about finances being a factor. He died at Kangaroo Point in 1880.

Price $240.00 unframed

An opportunity to own a rare original bird print by Queenslander Silvester Diggles

$240.00

Updating cart…

The Wild White Man of Badu – Ion Idriess – First Edition – Signed

Wealth in the Wilderness – Arthur Groom – First edition 1955

Disturbing Element [An Autobiography] – Xavier Herbert – First Edition 1963

Captain James Cook – The Greatest Discoverer [Hordern House Reference]

Queensland Geographical Journal – Diamond Jubilee Issue 1885-1945. Also has important Papua New Guinea content.

Silvester Diggles – Australian Birds – Pied Honey-eater, Slender-billed Spine-bill and the White eye-browed Spine-bill

Product Categories