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Convicts, transporation etc

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  • The Port Arthur Coal Mines [Tasmania] 1833-1877 – Ian Brand

    The Port Arthur Coal Mines [Tasmania] 1833-1877 – Ian Brand

    A first edition, soft cover of this enlightening Industrial Local History about the convict worked coal mines on the Tasman Peninsula.

    Perfect bound, octavo size, ninety pages nicely illustrated. Published by Regal Press, Launceston, no date but generally agreed c1995. A super as new copy.

    A great history from the discovery of coal in the 1830’s and the initial years of working with convict labour before their eventual passing to private hands in 1848 and closure in 1877.

    Interesting Industrial History – Coal in Tasmania

    $30.00

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  • Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

    Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

    Maureen Byrne was a professional archaeologist which makes this “local history” rather more honed and full of well researched fact.

    Anyone who loves Tasmania either as a local or a visitor cannot help fall in love with the town of Ross and its magnificent convict built bridge.

    Published in 1969 by the Australian Society of Historical Archaeology in conjunction with the Ross Council and its then appointed Bridge Restoration Committee .. now there’s a worthwhile cause.

    Squarish perfect bound card covered, 51 pages with folding plans at rear. Extensively illustrated from photographs taken by the author. A very good copy.

    The bridge was to undergo restoration with the removal of badly laid thick tarmacadam … this was the chance to call in the expert Byrne. A special record was made … the best part being something that could have received better treatment earlier .. 186 carvings, 31 over the top of each arch. Among the carvings along with those involved in the creation of the bridge we have … Jorgen Jorgensen the Danish adventurer then part of life in Van Diemens Land; Governor George Arthur resplendent in his top hat; John Headlam a hated school master in his mortar board; William Kermode a local grazier .. along with horned goods and wild beasts.

    Comparison with Italian bridge architecture add interest.

    The Ross Bridge rivals European Bridge Architecture with its numerous carvings.

    $50.00

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  • The Canary Jacket – Ann Shead – First Edition 1968

    The Canary Jacket – Ann Shead – First Edition 1968

    First edition published by Collins, London and Sydney in 1968. A “novel of early Australia” by the distinguished author.

    Octavo, 256 pages, a very good copy in a complete and clean dust jacket.

    Australian author Ann Shead came from Cornish stock. This story start in Cornwall and smuggling which leads to transportation to New South Wales. The realities of life downunder for convicts bound out to serve a Master are to the fore of the narrative. Things do improve and the book ends pleasantly high and rewarding.

    Convicts doing it tough but seeing it through in the end … the lucky ones in the Lucky Country.

    $30.00

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  • Port Arthur Railway Across Tasman Peninsula – Australia’s First Railway – Bayley

    Port Arthur Railway Across Tasman Peninsula – Australia’s First Railway – Bayley

    Published in the early 1970’s this is an interesting historical account of what was the first railway in Australia, albeit convict powered.

    The author William Bayley self published a number of well researched historical documents. Octavo, 64 pages, illustrated heavily and well throughout. Fine copy.

    Much about Booth and his plans, the Port Arthur settlement and discovery of coal on the other side of the peninsula. The need for the railway, its construction and the manpower. The visit of Trollope and other incidentals.

    The first railway – no mean feat for anyone.

    $25.00

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  • The Sarah Island Conspiracies – R. I. Davey

    The Sarah Island Conspiracies – R. I. Davey

    A super Tasmanian book by Richard Innes Davey. This is the hardback edition, most available are the earlier soft cover.

    Published by The Round Earth Company, Tasmania. This the Second Revised Edition 2007.

    Small quarto, 210 pages nicely illustrated and in fine condition with a fine dust jacket.

    Sarah Island behind the Gates of Hell in Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania was home to the harshest penal establishment imaginable.

    This well crafted book is based on the account of twelve Voyages made by a one G.K. (his name is not known) the Sarah Island between 1822-1833. G. K. was a clerk a minor bureaucrat and supposedly as shadowy figure. He observes the men banished to this desolate place and is gradually drawn into their world.

    True life, mystery and intrigue at Sarah’s Island

    A word about the author … Richard Innes Davey (1938-2013) what a character … he spent seven years as a Dominican monk before exploding a laboratory in Adelaide, met his wife Kathleen while recuperating. Much travel overseas and strange and artistic goings on followed. back in Australia (Perth) he expanded his artistic bent … sculpting, theatre directing and playwright, outback storytelling, remote communities etc. Moving to Tasmania with his own Round Earth Company he became the man of knowledge regarding Sarah Island. If you have been to Strahan you will be aware of his play “The Ship that Never Was”, our longest running play (Australia’s Mousetrap).

    $40.00

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

    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

    $50.00

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