Western Australia

Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

An original hand-coloured engraving of the Western Rosella published in Edinburgh 1826 by Scotland’s greatest naturalist Sir William Jardine (1800-1874). This image is one of the earliest fine engravings of the bird.

Now referred to as Platycercus icterotis the Western Rosella of Moyadong is endemic to southern Western Australia. The yellow patches on the cheeks distinguishes from other members of the genus; icterotis means “yellow ear”. This is a male the females being duller in colouring. The first description of the bird was published by Temminck and Kuhl in 1820 from a collection gained in King George Sound. It was Nicholas Vigor who classified the bird as described in this engraving. The narrative accompanying the engraving states that Mr Vigors description of the bird is to be published in the forthcoming Zoological Journal confirming the very early nature of the engraving

Published as part of Jardine’s first great work “Illustrations in Ornithology” a now scarce and valuable collection of bird engravings. This is a large scale edition for those familiar with the pocket book sized engraving from the more common Jardine collection. Paper size 30cm by 23cm and as one can see the bird occupies the page impressively. Strong bright colours, fine engraving of feather texture.

Jardine was the 7th Baronet of Applegirth, Dumfriesshire and founder of the Ray Society. He was a superb artist in his own right but utilised the great illustrators of the day to complete his works including, Edward Lear, Selby, Stewart, Thompson and William Holmes-Lizars

Price $120.00 Unframed

Very early engraving of the Western Rosella

$120.00

Updating cart…

Original Share Script – The Consolidated Gold Mines of Western Australia – 1898

A great example of a late Victorian Gold Mine certificate produced and printed by Bishop & Co Engravers and Printers, London.

The Consolidated Gold Mines of Western Australia was incorporated in 1898 with a share raising of 81,000 British Pounds, being 324,000 shares of 5 shillings each. This is certificate number 165 for 40 shares issued to Mrs Rachel Mary Cleaver of “Beauregard” St Leonards [Sydney}. Signed by the Directors and Company Secretary, Lawrence Spicer. Impressed company seal. Nice example - would frame well.

In 1898 the Company was operating a gold mine at the Marble Bar, a town and rock formation in the Pilbarra, North Western Australia. Records show the mine had limited success. From a map drawn by engineer A F Calvert (see below) it is clear the Company had ambitions in a number of Western Australian gold fields.

Of particular interest is that the Managing Director of the mine was author, explorer, entrepreneur Albert Frederick Calvert (1872-1946). Calvert was a prolific writer and his Explorations of Australia 1844-1896 in two volumes still holds up very well … as does his The Discovery of Australia still a standard and collectable reference. His books on Western Australia are well honed based on personal experiences and adventures. Whilst he was not part of it [he was back in London]… he sponsored what is know as the “Calvert Expedition” into the heart of the Great Desert in which two adventurers sadly died.

Interesting early Gold Mine script with a rather unique background story.

$260.00

Updating cart…

Kalgoorlie Golden Mile – Western Australia – Original Magic Lantern Slide – Newton & Co – c1910

Very good condition magic lantern slide from Newton & Co Fleet described in cursive writing.

We date the slide to around 1910. New & Co were at 43 Museum Street London. They were the world’s longest established suppliers of scientific instruments being formed by Sir Isaac Newton’s cousin J. Newton in 1704. At the time of this slide the proprietors were still from the Newton family. The British Museum have Newton & Co out of business at Museum Street in 1913, but other references have it continuing

A really broad view which magnifies to present incredible detail. Standard British size in fine condition. We believe this slide and image is pretty rare.

Kalgoorlie was discovered by Paddy Hannan and Tom Flanagan in 1893. There horse had thrown a shoe and when they stopped to sort it out they noticed gold …. Well … on the ground everywhere. Hannan staked a claim and the rush was on. By 1896 the rail had arrived and the area had taken over from Coolgardie as the primary WA goldfield.

As an aside the Newton & Co address is as you might suspect in sight of the British Museum in London and also opposite The Plough … a favourite Voyager pub.

Rare Australian Gold Mining Lantern Slide

$120.00

Updating cart…

Man Tracks [With the Mounted Police in Australian Wilds] – Ion Idriess

Published by Angus & Robertson 1936, a ninth edition issued one year after the first. The copy of Chicago resident, Idriess friend and admirer, Frances Van Cleef with a note indicating she acquired it in Melbourne on Feb 16, 1937.

Very good condition, a couple of chips to the dust jacket, very clean and tight internally. A super copy.

An impressive Idriess book about the Australian Mounted Police up through the Centre, the North and West. Many lively accounts recounted in the normal Idriess way. The photography in this book is special with a number of unique aboriginal images.

Real Crime solved by Australian Police on Horseback

$80.00

Updating cart…

No Image Available

The Birds of Australia in 3 Volumes [the S.A. White Facsimile] -Gregory Mathews

A numbered limited facsimile edition of the complete work in three volumes, reproduced faithfully without alteration or correction. Published in South Australia by State Publishing. The original published in 1910-1927 by Witherby & Co, London. Regarded as the last great bird plate book relating to Australia with the consequential accuracy in form and description.

Folio on quality paper so rather heavy. Printed by offset lithography and bound in half grey polished leather. Published in 1989 based on a set held in the S.A. White Collection. Fine condition.

Unpaginated but 182 pages each. A total of 105 full-page colour plates. 500 sets were produced. Getting hard to find and here sold at an attractive price.

Mathews and his Birds of Australia.

$340.00

Updating cart…

The Wreck of the Zuytdorp (Western Australia) – Playford

A reprint in full form of an article published in the Journal and Proceedings of the Western Australian Historical Society in 1959.

This soft covered printing in 1976, 36 pages, illustrated and with maps and charts.

A number of Dutch East India ships suffered on the west coast of Australia in their attempts to make Jakarta … more well known the Batavia because of the horrendous going on … others including the Vergulde Draeck; Ridderschap van Holland; Fortuyn; Aagtekerke and Zeewyk get a mention here and the unfortunate Zuytdorp is covered in some detail.

Wrecked on the cliffs in Gantheaume Bay just slightly south of Ramyards Shed in 1712. Survivors carried 9 heavy breech-blocks of the wreck .. so there must have been a few of them … little else is know of what became of them.

The Zuttdorp – Western Australia – not an easy place to be wrecked in 1712

$25.00

Updating cart…

Western Rosella (Platycerous Stanlayii) – Sir William Jardine – Published in 1826

Original Share Script – The Consolidated Gold Mines of Western Australia – 1898

Kalgoorlie Golden Mile – Western Australia – Original Magic Lantern Slide – Newton & Co – c1910

Man Tracks [With the Mounted Police in Australian Wilds] – Ion Idriess

The Birds of Australia in 3 Volumes [the S.A. White Facsimile] -Gregory Mathews

The Wreck of the Zuytdorp (Western Australia) – Playford

Product Categories