Curiosities

Relics for the Curious – Two Volumes – 1824

First Edition set near impossible to find. Printed by Samuel Burton Leadenhall Street, London in 1824.

Two small volumes, 184 pages, 168 pages, frontispiece to both. Bound in contemporary olive half calf, spines gilt with double red leather labels. Lightly rubbed a pretty clean and bright set.

A collection of most peculiar anecdotes. The Literary Magnet of the time praised the contents and demonstrated their approbation of them by making copious extracts available in their rag.

Classifies as anecdotes, clerical, professional and miscellaneous and compounded by “singular customs” and “extracts from remarkable wills”.

Very unusual books for the well read and broadly based historian … facts contained in here designed to liven any dull dinner party … “Did you know that …”

Relics … well anecdotes really of some strange historical happenings.

$180.00

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North British Australasian Company Limited – Delay on Wool Clip creates liquidity issues – 1892

Original manuscript letter from the Company Secretary of the North British Australasian Company Limited from their headquarters at 10 Moorgate Street, London E.C. dated 5th July 1892.

Addressed to Cochran Macpherson who were likely the lawyers of 152 Union Street, Aberdeen who were no doubt attending to their wily Scottish clients interests.

I legible hand but for ease of reading … “Dear Sirs, I am in receipt of your letter of the 1st inst and in reply beg to say that the delay in the payment of the Guaranteed interest is owing to the non-arrival of the greater part of the Wool Clip. We have however received a Cablegram saying that same is being pushed forward and expected to arrive here in September. On the completion of the sales whatever amount remains after meeting out-goings in the Colony will be appropriated for interest on the Guaranteed Stock. A payment on account would have been made ere this had it been possible to have sold a large quantity of surplus Live Stock on the Stations at the present time but prices are so extremely low that we are prohibited from doing so .. ”

The North British Australasian Company were formed in the early 1840’s and by the time of this letter had extensive interests in Australia.

What at first hand may be a routine business letter … reflects the difficulties facing the Australian agricultural sector to this day … overstocking when prices are low, delays caused by unforeseen reasons and shareholders expecting guarantees when they cannot be fulfilled.

10 Moorgate is a beautiful building now occupied by ING Group.

Liquidity Issued Politely Explained
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NB – Postage will be reduced on final billing

$90.00

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Original 17th Century Engraving – French Naval Vessel – Allain Manesson Mallet – Paris 1683

An delightful original copper engraving from 1683. From one of the most magnificent illustrated works of the 17th Century, “Le Description de l’Univers”.

Covering all manner of things naval and cartographic this is a fine engraving of one of the principal ships of the French Navy.

Engraved area approximately 15cm by 10cm. Matted, with “French lines”, as shown in the second image.

Mallet (1630-1706) was a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV became a Sergeant Major and an Inspector of Fortifications. His maps have a beautiful decorative and unique style.

17th Century Naval engraving matted ready to frame.

$90.00

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Woodcut Bookplate of Sir Samuel James Way Bart – Chief Justice c1910

A striking woodcut bookplate, over 100 years old, of Sir Samuel James way (1836-1916). 13cm by 9.5cm in very good condition. This was the third bookplate commissioned by Way .. it bears his coat of arms which features three salmon working their way upstream against the current .. a metaphor … struggling against all obstacles towards success. His motto “Fit Via ci” loosely translating as “Where there’s a will there’s a Way” … so a hint of humour.

Sir Samuel was Chief Justice of South Australia and Lieutenant Governor. He was invited to the Privy Council but had to give it up partly due to confusion as to who was to pay him. He was knighted in 1899. He was a avid collector of art, objects and book. His private library was one of the greatest ever amassed in Australia … a large part of it on his death went to the Adelaide University Library where it increased the collection by 60%.

Sir Samuel James Way – Leading South Australian

$30.00

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Original Woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay – 1958

Original woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay for Keith Wingrove created in 1958. Signed in the plate.

Keith Wingrove (1910-1995) was an art and book collector. He had a strong interest in bookplates and commissioned a number of designs by both Lionel Lindsay (1874-1961) and his brother Norman Lindsay and other artists of note. Wingrove was very close to the brothers .. Norman wrote over 350 letters to him …

10cm by 7.5 cm with a strong contrasting image directly from the plate.

Collectable Australian Bookplate.

$60.00

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Original Woodcut Bookplate by Kalman Gaborjani Szabo noted Hungarian Artist – 1934

A very stylish bookplate, original woodcut by Klaman Gaborjani Szabo (1897-1965) commissioned by Dr Arady Kalman (1893-1964). Dr Kalman was an avid bibliophile and commissioned numerous high class bookplates for his collection. An example of this exact bookplate is held in the Balatoni Museum and included on the Hungarian and European digital archives.

15cm by 7.5 cm, smooth with high contrast from the original plate. Veros in manuscript the artists name, Hungary, 1934, woodcut. A little age but really a super example.

Rare well executed art deco bookplate from named European artist.

$70.00

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Relics for the Curious – Two Volumes – 1824

North British Australasian Company Limited – Delay on Wool Clip creates liquidity issues – 1892

Original 17th Century Engraving – French Naval Vessel – Allain Manesson Mallet – Paris 1683

Woodcut Bookplate of Sir Samuel James Way Bart – Chief Justice c1910

Original Woodcut bookplate by Lionel Lindsay – 1958

Original Woodcut Bookplate by Kalman Gaborjani Szabo noted Hungarian Artist – 1934

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