Tasmania

The Whitehead Letters – Tasmanian Society and Politics 1871-1882

A nice production by the Tasmanian Historical Research Association published under their banner in 1991. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Compiled by Launceston historian Francisca Vernon and edited by Michael Sprod of Blubber Press.

Octavo, 270 pages, illustrated with map, facsimile letter, portraits including from an early photograph of Whitehead. A fine copy.

John Whitehead operated out of a fine country property “Winburn” on the South Esk River near Lymington south-east of Launceston. He was a touch and involved with all the goings on of the period. And, an avid letter writer, many to his English friend Edwin Bowring who had worked on properties in Tasmania and therefore “’knew the ropes”. As was practice with gentry of the period Whitehead kept a copy letter book which made the whole exercise of compilation less tiresome.

One for those with an interest in the history of Tasmania filling in an important and turbulent period in its development.

The Whitehead Letters and important brick in the wall that is the history of Tasmania

$30.00

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Tasmania to the Letter – Mike Jenkinson

An unusual alphabetically arranged potpourri of all things about and relating to Tasmania [Over 700 items]. Starts with abalone and ends with Zinc and is much more interesting in between. The paragraph on irascible talented and sadly gone artist Geoff Dyer and his Archibald winning portrait of Richard Flanigan is a good example of its honed quality.

Softcover, perfect bound 317 pages, heavily illustrated throughout. An educational entertainment – a great way into Tasmania for the occasional visitor.

Published in 2006 by J.C.P.L. effectively self published.

A special edition from a unique work of historical significance – an Australian National Treasure.

$20.00

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Coins and Tokens of Tasmania – 1803-1910 – Roger McNiece

The definitive work. We really admire people like McNiece who through their passion for their interest put the hard yards in, the effort, to produce such a useful work. Tooley, Spence, King etc all come to mind.

Published by Platypus Publication, Hobart in 1969, a first edition. Rather rare. Printed on the Mercury Presses bound by Walch .. how more Tasmanian can you get.

Octavo, 112 pages, numerous illustrations to help one along. A very good copy in an excellent dust jacket bar a small closed tear to rear.

Roger McNiece was a founding member of the Tasmanian Numismatics Society.

And, more than coins and tokens. We start with Specie .. the currency of NSW and the consequences of the Settlement of Van Diemen’s Land. Sorrell and Brisbane’s reforms. Arthur and the Sterling Money Act. The allowance for South American Dollars, Sicca Rupees [we had to encourage gentlemen in service in India to retire in VDL], Mexican Dollars ..

Then Paper Currency and Police Fund Notes and Treasury Bills. A lengthy chapter on Private Promissory Notes and numerous individual issuers. A chapter on Barter and the use of Rum Therein. Special Bank Issues and then the last third of the book taken up with Trade Tokens – so collectable.

More than Coins and Tokens – the McNiece Standard

$60.00

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Life in Old Van Diemens Land – Joan Goodrick

A lively account of the first fifty years of VDL. From the early Governors to butchers, bakers and candlestick makers (literally). The health hazards of the town creek might put public safety in perspective.

Published by Rigby in 1977, octavo, 220 pages, illustrated throughout. A very good copy

Succinct readable Tasmanian history

$25.00

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Banditti Beware – Bushranging with Bardy in Old Van Diemen’s Land – Bob Minchin.

Self published in 2000. Softcover, perfect bound, 100 pages, illustrated. A fine copy.

Convict Matthew Brady was banished to Van Diemen’s Land but it was not long after William Sorrell declared, in June 1824, the security system ‘Nearly Perfect” that Brady and a bunch of renegades escaped from Macquarie Harbour. Between then and the eventual hanging of Matthew Brady in May of 1826 the gang that Brady was soon to lead caused Mayhem throughout Van Diemen’s Land.

Great references to the locations, building, pubs that the gang frequented … would make for a good historical tour.

Minchin and the works on Mattheew Brady Bushranger Royalty.

$30.00

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A History of Tasmania – Vol I – Van Diemen’s Land from the earliest Times to 1855 – Lloyd Robson

First edition 1983 published by the Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Thick royal octavo, 6312 pages, illustrated, end paper maps. A fine copy.

The early part of what would become a two volume work by Robson. The author a historian of distinction educated at UTAS, University of London and ANU when appointed into the Department of History Melbourne was awarded a Nuffield Foundation Scholarship to write this history in the UK.

Pointedly ahead of its time after the introductory “Reconnaissance” Robson titles the arrival of the first settlers and convicts … “Invasion”.

As you would expect a solid history which undoubtedly draws on West, Giblin etc but with the advantages of modern research pre-Goggle.

Solid comprehensive well written history of Tasmania to the end of Transportation and the beginning of self Government.

$80.00

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The Whitehead Letters – Tasmanian Society and Politics 1871-1882

Tasmania to the Letter – Mike Jenkinson

Coins and Tokens of Tasmania – 1803-1910 – Roger McNiece

Life in Old Van Diemens Land – Joan Goodrick

Banditti Beware – Bushranging with Bardy in Old Van Diemen’s Land – Bob Minchin.

A History of Tasmania – Vol I – Van Diemen’s Land from the earliest Times to 1855 – Lloyd Robson

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