Tasmania

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1885 [Including Johnston’s Coloured Geological Map of Tasmania]

Printed at the “Mercury” in 1886 a first published. An important journal containing a number of geological papers including Ore at Mt Bischoff by Baron Von Grodeck and some on coal measures. At the end we have Johnston’s Geological Table showing the proposed classification of stratified rock in Tasmania and his rather superb large, folding coloured sketch map of the General Geological Features of Tasmania.

Other papers that may be of interest include … an Eclipse on March 30^th 1885 by Biggs; Mosses by Bastow; Tasmanian Earth Tremors also by Biggs; Fossil Plants by the aforementioned Johnstone.

Original soft wrappers, clxi pages followed by 407 pages including a good index. A very solid edition to support the substantial content.

Scarce 1885 Journal with map often missing.

$120.00

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A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

A novelised account of the authors father, Jack Sheppard [born at Ranelagh in the Huon Valley] and Jack Doderidge [from Koonya on the Tasman Peninsula].

Self-published by the author in 2015, octavo, 258 pages. Super near fine condition. We can only find print on demand copies. This not so as it’s signed by the Author to Maria.

The author is not Hemingway, but nevertheless we find this book lively, information and entertaining when allowed. After all there are some tricky times including an enforced stay at Stalag 13C.

Novelised based on the true story of two Jacks from Tasmania.

$40.00

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Coins and Tokens of Tasmania – 1803-1910 – Roger McNiece

The definitive work. We really admire people like McNiece who through their passion for their interest put the hard yards in, the effort, to produce such a useful work. Tooley, Spence, King etc all come to mind.

Published by Platypus Publication, Hobart in 1969, a first edition. Rather rare. Printed on the Mercury Presses bound by Walch .. how more Tasmanian can you get.

Octavo, 112 pages, numerous illustrations to help one along. An excellent copy with a full dust jacket a little rubbed.

Roger McNiece was a founding member of the Tasmanian Numismatics Society.

And, more than coins and tokens. We start with Specie .. the currency of NSW and the consequences of the Settlement of Van Diemen’s Land. Sorrell and Brisbane’s reforms. Arthur and the Sterling Money Act. The allowance for South American Dollars, Sicca Rupees, Mexican Dollars ..

Then Paper Currency and Police Fund Notes and Treasury Bills. A lengthy chapter on Private Promissory Notes and numerous individual issuers. A chapter on Barter and the use of Rum Therein. Special Bank Issues and then the last third of the book taken up with Trade Tokens – so collectable.

More than Coins and Tokens – the McNiece Standard

$80.00

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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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Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania – 1885 [Including Johnston’s Coloured Geological Map of Tasmania]

A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

Coins and Tokens of Tasmania – 1803-1910 – Roger McNiece

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

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