Australiana

Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Publisher Dan Sprod

Published by the tremendous Blubber Head Press of Hobart and signed by the publisher Dan Sprod at the front

The quality of the book is best bar none and the condition near fine. Octavo, 292 pages, nicely illustrate, some in colour, end paper maps an, a most unusual printed thick glassine dust cover, often chipped but here completely undamaged.

The author was taken aback by the contents of fresh papers that surfaced from the descendants of Kennedy – and along with records held in Northern Ireland and the journals and papers at the Royal Geographical Society London the rich content of this book has been crafted.

Edmund Besley Court Kennedy (1818-1848) was chosen by Mitchell as his second for the 1846 expedition into southern and central Queensland. He was given command of a further expedition the nest year to trace Mitchell’s “Victoria River” to an expected mouth in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This turned out not to be true, Kennedy proving that that the Victoria was in fact the Barcoo, the upper waters of Cooper Creek … and in doing so discovered the valuable Channel Country. He then went on to track the Werrego River and in a further expedition from Rockingham Bay in 1848, setting its sights on the very tip of the Cape York Peninsula, he was killed by aboriginals.

Three folding maps near rear.

Essential and Fine Kennedy

$60.00

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A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen’s Land – by George Evans – First Edition 1822

A very good copy of the first edition of this important early book devoted to Tasmania, published by Souter London in 1822. Octavo, xii, 140 pages with 2 tables and lists plus the famous frontispiece a very early engraved folding view of Hobart after a sketch by the author. Bound in original papered boards [rare to be as issued] with a later somewhat crude calf spine. A hint of foxing and the odd crease otherwise as good a copy as one will find.

Carries the armorial bookplate John Francis Basset (1831-1869), on the front pastedown. The Basset’s were Norman settlers following William the Conquerer. They had a large country home Tehidy Park in Cornwall. A long line of Basset’s were the High Sheriff of Cornwall including John Francis.

and the later bookplate of Salve, Lowenac, Camborne. Cambourne is also in Cornwall and there is a nice Hotel at Lowenac … Salve, we believe, is a local greeting … good wishes, best of health etc.

Title continues… with Important Hints to Emigrants, and Useful Information respecting the Application for Grants of Land; together with a List of the Most Necessary Articles For Persons to Take Out etc. The whole “embellished by a Correct View of Hobart Town”.

Contents include – Advertisement by the Editor (dealing with the Lieutenant Jeffrey’s book that plagiarised Evans). A general description of the discovery and exploration of the island, early population; climate and seasonal issues and a description of its topography and agricultural possibilities; the towns and villages, roads, commerce and field sports and the bushrangers. The appendices detail land granted in the Colony.

A good copy of a scarce early Tasmanian item

$690.00

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Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

Idriess on patrol for twelve hundred miles with the North West Mounted Police. First published interpretations of aboriginal message sticks.

Eight printing of the first edition published in 1945. Octavo, 316 pages, illustrated from original photographs – some super images of aboriginal groups.Usual evenly toned paper from the war clean though and with some insect nibbles to the dust jacket edges – otherwise still a good copy.

Idriess in the Kimberleys

$40.00

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Moonta Copper Mine, South Australian – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing a working scene at the Moonta Copper Mine, South Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

Copper was discovered at Moonta on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, near a Wombat burrow in 1860. A mine was soon built based on Cornish principles and bringing in mining experience from Cornwall, By the mid 1860’s it was thriving and by 1870 Moonta rivalled Adelaide – a million pound dividend was soon paid. The depression of the 1920’s put paid to all of that and the mine closed in 1923.

Some buildings or remnants still exist, and the site was put on the National Heritage Listing in 2017. It is well worth a visit look it up online. When you look it up you will see the remains of two engine houses – Hughes Engine House which was used to de-water the mine [active layers were below the natural water table] that engine ran for over 58 years. And, Richman’s Engine House which was used for crushing and processing ore [32 inch Cornish Beam Engine]. We recon our image is of the Richman Engine House … what do you think? The Engineer for both Houses was Frederick May.

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8cm by 8cm.

Early active image of work at the Moonta Copper Mine

$90.00

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White Blackfellows – Charles Barrett

Published in 1948 by Hallcraft, Melbourne. Octavo, 261 pages, well illustrated. A very good copy in a nice albeit chipped dust jacket.

We recognise that the title of the book is unacceptable. Accept the book though for the history within. Sixteen different histories from all over Australia. Many of these have inspired other works – Patrick White etc. And, quite a few appear in longer form within the Voyager collection – but in no other place do we have a balanced presentation of so many.

Mrs Fraser, William Buckley, James Murrells, Barbara Thompson etc and the dubious Louis de Rougemont

$40.00

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Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

Idriess on patrol for twelve hundred miles with the North West Mounted Police. First published interpretations of aboriginal message sticks.

A first printing of the re-set edition published in 1951, the earlier form first in 1937. Tall octavo, 245 pages, illustrated from original photographs – some super images of aboriginal groups. Some age marks throughout, still a good copy.

Idriess in the Kimberleys

$35.00

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Kennedy – The Barcoo and Beyond 1847 – Beale – Signed by Publisher Dan Sprod

A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen’s Land – by George Evans – First Edition 1822

Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

Moonta Copper Mine, South Australian – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

White Blackfellows – Charles Barrett

Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

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