Non-fiction

Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

Published by Methuen, Sydney in 1979, an exceptionally clean copy of this respected book about Australian snakes and lizards.

Pocket sized hardback, every snake and lizard accompanied by a good coloured image clear enough to actually identify the species [this clarity issue is a problem with mots other books on the subject].

The book commences with some general information on snakes and lizards but be warned that the treatment for snake bite is no longer the preferred method – keep up to date with that!

Our not so favourite – the red-bellied black snake that we used to see in our garden in Pullenvale west Brisbane

Snakes and Lizards a perfect combo.

$30.00

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History of Tasmania from its Discovery in 1642 to the Present Time [1884] – James Fenton – Faithful Facsimile

Originally published in Hobart in 1884 by Walch. This a faithful facsimile published by Melanie Publications, Hobart in 1978. A very good copy of a nicely produced book.

Octavo, 462 pages, large coloured folding map at front as in the original, illustrated. Patterned gold style endpapers, embossed clay cloth covered boards.

The large fold out map in excellent condition along with four coloured plates of aborigines including Jinny of Port Sorell, Timmy of the Eastern Coast, Truganini (the last of the aboriginals) and Jack native of Cape Grim.

This book is a cornerstone commentary on Tasmanian history and an excellent progression from West’s first comprehensive history of Tasmania published 30 year earlier.

Fenton’s Tasmania Essential Historical Account

$125.00

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Atacamite [Copper Chloride] – Mt Gunson Mine – Western Australia

A nice cabinet sized piece of WA Atacamite, copper chloride or copper oxychloride.

It is named after the Atacama Dessert in South America where it occurs.

A pretty example with a mixture of fine micro-crystals and a more granular mass.

The strong green colour was widely used in circa15thC in devotional publications, frescos etc.

A good example with a strong and even dark green colouring both sides. 9.0cm by 6.0cm, 2.0cm deep, weighing 95.0gm

Atacamite in good form.

SORRY ON HOLD

$35.00

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Rhodonite [Manganese Silicate] – Tamworth, New South Wales

A nice lump of Rhodonite [Greek for Rose] from the old Manganese mine north of Tamworth in New South Wales. Whilst generally described a Manganese Silicate it contains, Iron, Magnesium and Calcium as well as the aforementioned Manganese.

This example, cleaved and polished to reveal its beauty is of massive fine-grained form with few larger crystal forms around the uncut surface.

The black inclusions are manganese oxide.

Rhodonite has special properties in the love and forgiveness department if you get that. We can see why it is a pretty mineral.

A good nicely layered example 9.0cm by 6.0cm, 4.0cm deep, weighing 354.0gm

Shiny Black Mica from the Northern Territory.

$35.00

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Early Aviation at Farnborough – The First Aeroplanes – Percy Walker

A particularly good to better copy of this stand out book on the very first aeroplanes.

First edition published by MacDonald, London in 1974. Quarto, 375 pages, littered with images from original photographs and diagrams of these first in the air machines. Still has its original pictorial slipcase. A heavy book not really suitable fro Overseas.

Described as Volume II as there was an earlier book on balloons etc but generally seen separately as they carry different interests.

Naturally, we start with the Wright Brothers. Colonel Caper visits the US in 1904 to see the Wright Brothers and Samual Langley – Negotiations takes place, but they are frustrated. In 1906 further approaches are made – more rejections. Cody moves on [first without engines] and the first machine is ready in October 1908. It works and we are in the air. There is some mystery along the way – the odd hoax – the odd tree gets in the way – but generally speaking we are off and running – well “flying”!

If it’s Farnborough, then it’s Flying.

$80.00

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Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

The first edition published by Collins, London in 1959. Thick octavo, 576 pages, frontispiece of Alanbrooke, map in text and differing end-paper maps.

A strange thing now, the detailed war diary. It all seems to be inaccurately dealt with on Twitter or Fritter or whatever now. How can you reflect on that?

Sir Arthur Bryant spent a long time going through Alanbrooke’s meticulous, in the moment, diaries. The result is something special. When Voyager first picked up this book there was a struggle to put it down. Not only the easy and honest style of the narrative but on reading one feeling the frustrations and irritations of the sometimes-irrational behaviour of the Political leaders.

This is 1943-1946 and Alanbrooke is promoted to Field Marshall. A major re-organisation of the top ranks takes place in preparation for operation Overlord. Eisenhower gets his man [Monty], and a re-shuffle takes place with chopping and changing to the very last moment. Resolute Alanbrooke works tirelessly and at one time seemed to be crossing Europe and North Africa continuously by plane – and still made it to the War Office. He had Churchill’s ear – Churchill much admired but inclined to make deals to please and change his mind often.

Alanbrooke a War Diary Like No Other.

$40.00

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Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

History of Tasmania from its Discovery in 1642 to the Present Time [1884] – James Fenton – Faithful Facsimile

Atacamite [Copper Chloride] – Mt Gunson Mine – Western Australia

Rhodonite [Manganese Silicate] – Tamworth, New South Wales

Early Aviation at Farnborough – The First Aeroplanes – Percy Walker

Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

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