Curiosities

Australian Eastern Shovelnose Ray – by Shaw & Nodder – 1791

Very early copper engraved hand coloured engraving of the Australian Eastern Shovelnose Ray (Aptychoterma Rostrata) which you can find along the coast from Newcastle in NSW to the Far North in Queensland, more prevalent around the Barrier Reef. Very good condition original 18thC colouring.

A medium sized ray with a long flattened triangular snout, wedge shaped disk and shark like tail. Sexually dimorphic dentition – the males have elongated carps on their anterior teeth that allow them to grip the female during mating … ouch.

George Shaw oversaw the Natural History Department at the British Museum. Nodder was a natural history artist and worked for Banks on his Florilegium.

Price unframed $90.00 or $190.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style.

Very early Australian Fish Engraving

$90.00

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Bronze Plaque Swedish Polar Explorer Otto Nordenskiöld by Austrian Artist Hugo Taglang – 1905

Produced to commemorate the Antarctic achievements of Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskiöld (1869-1928) who led a Heroic Era expedition to the Antarctic in 1901-1904. A fine image of the man decked out in heavy polar furs.

Nordenskiold arrived in the Antarctic in 1901 and wintered on Snow Hill Island. Unfortunately, their ship the ‘Antarctica” got trapped in ice and sank in 1903. His back up Larsen eventually met up with the stranded team but was unable to get them away. They were eventually rescued by the Uruguayan Navy. Despite all this their visit was hailed a scientific success as they explored and researched much of Graham Land.

Nordenskiöld was made Professor of Geography at Gothenburg University in 1905 the same year this commemorative was struck. He later went on to explore northern Greenland and in the 1920’s certain parts of South America. He was killed by a bus in Gothenburg crossing the road.

80mm by 57mm weighing 170gm. The artist medallist Hugo Taglang (1874-1944) was born in Vienna. An example of this item is shown in the National Maritime Museum Collection, London ID MEC 2149.

Otto Nordenskiöld an unusual Antarctic commemorative
.

$180.00

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[Tasmania] Living Stones – Three Volumes Complete – Emberg(s)

Described as “a friendly guide to some Tasmanian graveyards”. So a strange little set of books that may interest those with that sort of curiosity. There is also a helpful assessment of Tasmanian graveyards with points allocated for various criteria – such as possessing a large gum or pine tree or have an obvious tragedy enshrined in stone or … a nice place for a picnic.

Three card covered volumes over circa 340 pages total, illustrated, strangely informative and mildly therapeutic.

Graveyards rated and gravestones described

$40.00

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The Book of Kells and The Art of Illumination

In the year 2000 Ireland’s greatest treasure the illuminated medieval manuscript the Gospel of St mark from the Book of Kells visited the National Gallery of Australia. We cannot imagine the insurance costs for this item beyond the wealth of any man.

Written painstakingly by Irish Monks and lost for many years before found “under a sod”.

Large format, perfect bound soft cover, 80 pages, heavily illustrated as you would expect.

The Book of Kells impossible not to stir some emotion.

$30.00

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Godwin’s Emigrants’s Guide to Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania]

A high quality facsimile of the exceedingly rare 1823 original. This published by the Tasmanian Government in 1990. A limited numbered edition of 500 copies this number 382.

Octavo, 90 pages, plus appendices. Large folding map and folding frontispiece view oof early Hobart.

Contains every bit of information that could be of assistance to anyone desiring to settle in Van Diemen’s Land. Interestingly, it also enclosed a blank application form for FREE GRANTS OF LAND … can you imagine the interest.

Bound nicely in half leather over suede covered boards, gilt title front and spine. A fine copy.

Godwin’s guide represents an important historical record

$130.00

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H.M. Bark Endeavour – Ray Parkin

Her place in Australian History. With and Account of her Construction, Crew and Equipment and a Narrative of her Voyage on the East Coast of New Holland in the Year 1770

First edition of this important publication in super condition. Issued by the Meiegunyah Press, Melbourne in 1997. Slipcase with two volumes.

Volume 1 has the narrative, 468 pages. The narrative draws on the records of Cook, Banks and Parkinson.

Volume 2 contains 25 maps and 31 drawings and plans of all things involved in building the functioning ship.

A must for any maritime historian. H.M. Bark Endeavour – nowhere else in such detail

$190.00

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Australian Eastern Shovelnose Ray – by Shaw & Nodder – 1791

Bronze Plaque Swedish Polar Explorer Otto Nordenskiöld by Austrian Artist Hugo Taglang – 1905

[Tasmania] Living Stones – Three Volumes Complete – Emberg(s)

The Book of Kells and The Art of Illumination

Godwin’s Emigrants’s Guide to Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania]

H.M. Bark Endeavour – Ray Parkin

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