Tasmania

Friendly Mission Tasmanian Journals and Papers of George Augustus Robinson 1829 – 1834 – Plomley – First Edition 1966 + 1971 Supplement

The scarce first edition published by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association in 1966.

Super thick octavo, 1,074 pages after preliminaries, nicely Illustrated from period sketches, end paper maps, and numerous maps and route maps throughout.

The book was published without a conventional dust jacket, protected in a simple wax paper wrap of which we appear to have the original! Very good unmarked condition, similarly the 1971 Supplement.

The Mitchell Library had purchased George Augustus Robinson’s voluminous papers from the estate of his son in 1939. Because of the war the papers were no transferred to Sydney until ten years later. Robinson had been conciliator of the Tasmanian Aborigines, Commandant at the Flinders Island aboriginal settlement and Chief Protector of the Aborigines of Port Phillip.

When Brian Plomley wrote this book the papers had still not been fully catalogued at the Mitchell. The papers comprised private correspondence, memoranda and jottings, vocabularies of aboriginal languages and a series of field journals covering Robinson’s expeditions in search of the Tasmanian Aboriginals … and it is these journals that constitute the heart of this edition. Starting with a series of journals kept during his mission to the natives of Bruny Island and his subsequent expeditions throughout Tasmania in search of the then existing tribes. They are a day-to-day account of where he went and what he did. Giving important information on the geography of many parts of Tasmania and of the people who lived there.

The history from contemporary records …

$190.00

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A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder – James De Mille -1900

Published by Harper, New York in 1900. A very good clean copy of this Utopian, Hollow Earth fantasy. By James De Mille and in true Jules Verne style.

Octavo with original deep red cloth covered boards with black and gilt lettering and device. 291 pages, frontispiece of the author and seven plates.

During a voyage in the yacht Falcon in 1850 a strange copper cylinder is retrieved from the Ocean. It contains the manuscript of Adam More of Keswick, Cumberland. His is an incredible tale. He was crewing on a vessel taking convicts to Van Dieman’s Land in 1843. On the return journey they went by Desolation Island where they were becalmed … venturing out to catch seal the got into all sorts of trouble and eventually found themselves in an unusual world with the Antarctic among strange people, strange creatures and strange goings on. Regarded as one of the best in the genre …

From Hobart Town to the centre of the Antarctic and the people that live there

$150.00

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Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

An original photograph by B (Benjamin) Sheppard (1902-1987). Size 21 x 16cm. Overall in good condition. Sheppard was most active in the 1950’s and the photograph likely cones from that period. The rear of the photograph carries B Sheppard’s stamp, that of the Agent General for Tasmania and a manuscript note identifying the location … a rather obvious one to those that love and live in the Apple Isle.

You can still see the solid Spiky Bridge built by Convict labour in 1843. The road has been moved onto a more modern and rather boring structure. The spikiness is thought to be an invention to stop cattle falling into the water … maybe. If you go there the remain of the Governor’s cottage can be seen on the hill nearby.

A Tasmanian landmark … Spiky Bridge a strange structure built by convicts

$60.00

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Journals of Expeditions in Van Diemen’s Land 1833 – John Charles Darke – Sullivan’s Cove Delicacy

A delightful limited edition by Sullivan’s Cove published in 1985. Number 20 of 175 copies. Charming fine gift like quality. Darke’s manuscripts are held by the Tasmanian State Library. Protected in semi-translucent mylar wrap as issued .. not shown here only because it does not photograph well … everything in fine condition.

A diminutive 43 pages Darke’s expeditions are set out in three reports … first, To the Peak of Teneriffe in 1833, second South West of the Peak and finally “Hobart Town Report”’ all dated 1833.

There is an interesting editors note the “Peak of Teneriffe” is Wyld’s Craig and the “Derwent’ variously referred to is in fact the River Nive.

Beautiful things often come in small packages

Posted may well be reduced on this item ..

$60.00

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The Life and Labours of George Washington Walker of Hobart Town, Tasmania. By James Backhouse and Charles Taylor – First Edition 1862

First edition published by A.W. Bennett, London and Thomas Ready, York in 1862. Large octavo, 556 pages with 12 page “Friendly Counsel” bound at the rear. Original ribbed cloth binding with gilt title to spine. Appears re-cased retaining the original jet black endpapers. Frontispiece of George W Walker with facsimile note and signature. Light staining off the image on the frontispiece and a few signs of ageing here and there. Manuscript note on title indication from the Library of the Doncaster Friends, possibly donated by Backhouse of you understand the geography. Overall still a good to better copy of a very interesting compilation. Essential reading on Tasmania.

George Washington Walker (1800-1959) was a Quaker and humanitarian born the 21st child! Of John Walker. He was brought up by his grandmother in Newcastle, England. His first job as a linen draper introduced him to the Quakers and James Backhouse of York. He became active in the movement. In 1831 he accompanied James Backhouse to the Australian and South African Colonies, investigation conditions for convicts and indigenous people. They encouraged schools for the poor, temperance, cleanliness and care in hospitals generally arousing a social conscience. Walker returned to Hobart and married Sarah Mather. He set up a linen draper’s shop and from there distributed Bibles. He formed the Hobart Savings Bank to assist those at the bottom of the pile. Generally, he was well liked although his campaign to stop drinking on Sunday’s did not go down well. He worked to suppress vice at the Female Factory and kept in close touch with the Aboriginal mission stations. His eldest son James Backhouse Walker became one of our most respected historians. He spent the last two years of his life living in Narryna and was buried in West Hobart following his death on 2nd February 1859.

The book is comprehensive … Walker arrived with Backhouse at Hobart by page 32 after having described the approaches. He meets Governor Arthur, John Leach and G.A. Robinson. Observes the Bridgewater Chain-gang the toils of their work still seen today … the exhaustion and conditions of their work hard to imagine. They visit New Norfolk and the Clyde district and come into contact with aboriginal groups. Then a major voyage to Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour. Back in Hobart visits to Richmond and then off to Flinders Island and the aboriginal settlements and the ill-treatment of aborigines. To Launceston and up to George Town and on to Circular Head, Woolnorth and Cape Grim … and much more before leaving for New South Wales and Norfolk Island. Two hundred pages are devoted to Mauritius and South Africa before Walker returns to Hobart in 1840 to live out his life much of which is dealt with by reference to his letters from that period.

Thorough treatment of Walker’s Life and an excellent complement to “A Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies” by Backhouse

$140.00

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The Voyage of the Caroline from England to Van Diemen’s Land and Batavia in 1827-28 By R Hare – Edited by and with Chapters on the Early History of Northern Tasmania, Java etc by Ida lee (Mrs Marriott)

Published by Longmans, London in 1927 a first edition in very good condition.

Original blue cloth binding spine lettered in gilt. 308 pages with 24 Illustrations and 15 maps of which 8 are folding. A few pencil annotations by a scholarly hand which we feel adds to the text.

A log of the voyage from England to Van Diemen’s Land and Batavia in 1827-28 With additional chapters on the early History of Northern Tasmania (by Ida Lee), Java, Mauritius and St Helena.

The elements of the log/diary relating to Tasmania are most interesting … the approaches and the sighting of the Black Pyramid, named by Flinders, and the arrival at Circular Head with mixed feelings. The disappointment of most in the accommodations before them … contrasting with the Directors of the Company (The Van Diemen’s Land Company), particularly Mr Inglis in Heaven. The next day an invitation to Highfield House and the ascending of Circular Head where they found sheep and kangaroo. Quite a bit about “Life at Highfield” and the hostility of the natives.

The second part by Ida Lee describes the discovery of Bass Strait; the formation of the Van Diemen’s Land Company; Goldie’s explorations; Jorgensen’s expeditions and that with Lorimer. Again, Highfield and Mr Hellyer’s explorations and also Fossey and her own account of the native Tasmanians.

Important log – and very good additions with special rather unique Tasmanian content

$160.00

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Friendly Mission Tasmanian Journals and Papers of George Augustus Robinson 1829 – 1834 – Plomley – First Edition 1966 + 1971 Supplement

A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder – James De Mille -1900

Photograph by B Sheppard – Spiky Bridge [Built by Convicts], Near Swansea, East Coast Road Tasmania

Journals of Expeditions in Van Diemen’s Land 1833 – John Charles Darke – Sullivan’s Cove Delicacy

The Life and Labours of George Washington Walker of Hobart Town, Tasmania. By James Backhouse and Charles Taylor – First Edition 1862

The Voyage of the Caroline from England to Van Diemen’s Land and Batavia in 1827-28 By R Hare – Edited by and with Chapters on the Early History of Northern Tasmania, Java etc by Ida lee (Mrs Marriott)

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