Tasmania and Van Diemens Land

Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Large scale softcover, perfect bound 98 pages. Quality production. Nice photographic images etc. Published by the Society.

Two Antarctic vignettes by H.J.G Dartnall, only two pages each but intriguing. First, about John Forbes, known as Mawson’s sailmaker. The second, more intriguing is about Tasman Spalding from Dunalley,. Tasmania, a 23 year old who served on the Terra Nova relief voyage. He was entitled to the Polar Medal but did not receive it possibly because his name got transposed and hence proved difficult to find at the time of handing out.

Other interesting articles include aspects geology at Heard Island; a new freshwater sponge discovered at Lake Peder; the diet of the Tasmanian Devil.

Terrific illustrations from scientific work – sections, micro photographs etc.

Royal Society Tasmania – superb work

$25.00

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Antique Mineral Testing Kit – “Superior Blowpipe Set – With Extra Apparatus” by J.T. Letcher of Cornwall. Circa 1880-90. Retailers label overlaid, without loss of information – Tasmania: Hobart Walch & Sons; Launceston Walch Bros & Birchill.

Exceptional Museum quality example rarely found with so many remaining pieces. The only similar example we can find in this condition is displayed online at the virtual museum of the history of mineralogy referencing a “Private Collection”.

These field kits were used in Australia by explorers and geologists. They include apparatus and chemicals for grinding the sample, heating it and observing the colours in the flame to identify the constituent minerals. It has been used, which is great, but not effecting the quality of the contents.

Designed and manufactured by J.T. Letcher of Truro Cornwall and awarded the Society of Arts Silver Medal and the Colonel Croll Prize in International Competition in 1878. Each set guaranteed to equal that deposited at the Society’s House.

The use of the blowpipe was invented in Sweden in the 1700’s and further refined there at the Freiberg Mining Academy in the mid 19th C. This design by J.T. Letcher with its comprehensive accoutrements became the standard in the later Victorian period.

Original brass riveted mahogany box with escutcheon to lid. Contains a specially designed lift out tray with multiple compartments and layers containing tools, the blowpipe, a small anvil, rock hammer, spirit lamp and grease lamp, Numerous chemical reagents including the original “gold bead” in its tube. There is a agate pestle and mortar as well as a tiny crucible that we know was made by Royal Worcester.

The containers are made of box wood with names to top and with a lovely patina. Reagent bottles, miniature test tubes with labels, test tube holder and much more. Original platinum forceps.

The test papers box contains litmus, turmeric and brazil wood papers; along with Platinum wire and foil, tin foil and the tiny remnant of some magnesium. The minute bone spatula is still there … we could go on

The original under-label inside the lid describes the original contents and bar scissors we are struggling to see anything missing

The box still has it’s lock but the key is long gone. It has a worked patina and is still robust.

Something special in the mineral field. The Superior Set by the top maker of the day; along with respected Hobart retailer Walch label – try to find another one and then one like this!

$1,390.00

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A Thematic History of West Hobart – Godden Mackay Logan

Published in 2002 and based on work conducted by the author to assist in the Hobart Council Heritage Review of 2000.

Softcover, perfect bound, 66 pages. Numerous illustrations, town style plans etc to support the narrative.

A fairly rapid travel through the year since the beginning of European settlement – what surprised us was how quickly the area became developed and how active it must have been around the still beautiful “Crescent”

West Hobart – some history and not a bad place to “hang out”

$30.00

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Bass Strait Crossing – the Shipping History – David Hopkins

This is a fine copy of the second printing of David Hopkins delightful work on the ships that have crossed the Bass Strait.

Self published, set and with artwork and illustration by the author. Published in 1997.

Large format softcover, 36 pages, with a hundred or more images from period photographs. An enjoyable book for those with an interested – the trading ketches are our favourite – something special about their “romantic” rigging.

Surprise your friends with you knowledge of the Bass Strait and its history of shipping from the beginning to the modern (ish) days. No planning issues encountered!

$30.00

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Vintage Railways [Tasmania and Mainland Australia] – Michael Sharland

Michael Sharland the guru when it comes to vintage railways.

This is a 1983 soft cover, squarish format, printed at the Mercury. 68 pages, full of great images from early photographs. Front cover, Tasmanian R Class steaming up the bank at Brighton. Very good condition.

Not all Tassie though – about a third with locos from the mainland, and some interesting ones, taking up the rest.

Sharland has steam for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

$30.00

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[Tasmania] Oddity and Elegance – Michael Sharland – First edition 1966

As mentioned on the front cover Michael Sharland had already issued the Tasmanian book “Stones of a Century”. This is by far a better book.

A very good copy in a complete dust jacket. Published by Fullers, Hobart in 1966. Squat quarto, 134 pages with many special images from photographs throughout.

About places, structures and their connection to key individuals. We particularly like the section on water driven mills [quite a few in the Huon valley]. And, the tidal powered mill [ahead of its time] in the North-west. Many and varied fences, the industrially scarred landscapes of the western mining regions and the naming of the peaks after a trove of Geological heroes.

Much more, entertaining and informative. Will make you a Tassie expert on its own!

Sharland on Tassie- his best and better than all the rest!

$50.00

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Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Antique Mineral Testing Kit – “Superior Blowpipe Set – With Extra Apparatus” by J.T. Letcher of Cornwall. Circa 1880-90. Retailers label overlaid, without loss of information – Tasmania: Hobart Walch & Sons; Launceston Walch Bros & Birchill.

A Thematic History of West Hobart – Godden Mackay Logan

Bass Strait Crossing – the Shipping History – David Hopkins

Vintage Railways [Tasmania and Mainland Australia] – Michael Sharland

[Tasmania] Oddity and Elegance – Michael Sharland – First edition 1966

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