Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

Mines and Minerals – Herbert Cox and Felix Ratte – Sydney 1885

First edition of this extremely scarce book for the mining industry. Printed by John Woods of Bridge Street, Sydney and published in 1885 as part of the “Technical Education Series. The principal author Cox was Instructor of the Department of Geology, Mineralogy and Mining at the Sydney Technical College [advertisements to his course appear at the rear] – his co-author held a similar position at the Ballarat School of Mines.

Octavo, 342 pages, plus index and numerous trade related advertisements at the back and the front. Some adverts of the key machinery providers of the period – Dunn, Babcock etc., relevant booksellers lists which include Geike’s volumes and the odd amusing elements such as the Waterproof Riding or Driving Toga which doubles as a bush bed covering. Original brown cloth covered boards with gilt tiles and embellishments to front, back and spine. The condition is still good to better we think for such a rarity which no doubt has been quite well used. The binding is a little loose but not that bad. Find another one!

Super information starting with chapters on geology, stratified deposits, Mineral veins and lodes, irregular and alluvial deposits. Moving to the Physical Properties of Minerals and their composition and determination. Noble metals and silver and lead, mercury, copper, tin, tungsten, titanium, and molybdenum. Leading to haloids, salts, quartz, opal, silicates, and precious stones.

Near the end we have two chapters which drew our attention – Assays and the use of the Blowpipe and Special Assays for Gold and Silver. The use of the carbon block and the blowpipe …

Special Australian book on Geology and Mineralogy – 1885

$240.00

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The Moth Hunters – Aboriginal Prehistory of the Australian Alps – Josephine Flood.

First edition of this important work – the very first history of the Aboriginal people who inhabited a large area of south-eastern Australia.

Published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra in 1980. Large sized soft cover [no equivalent hardback] 388 pages after preface and helpful guides. Well illustrated with diagrams, images from photographs [50 plates] and sketches [60 figures, maps, tables etc.

Chapters include – archaeological background; geographical setting; ethnohistorical evidence; demography; material culture; of Moths and Men; tribal territories; rock art; settlement patterns; - Canberra, Alps, southern uplands; stone assemblages of open campsites etc etc.

Near the end we have commentary on the excavation of nine rocks shelters.

Followed by numerous appendices re specific understandings and discoveries – a wealth of information and a most rewarding book.

Readable most comprehensive work of Australian Aboriginal pre-history.

$240.00

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Einstein’s Universe – Nigel Calder

Marking the Centenary of Einstein’s birth the BBC brought together some of the brightest ever to contribute to this work of relativity.

Sometimes explained at a level beyond mere mortals, sometimes in such a trivial manner hardly touching the boundaries of the concepts and connectivity involved. Here we have a a master work on the subject which still holds well despite the forty plus years since its publication.

Octavo, 178 pages, illustrated appropriately. Some minor highlighting by an educated reader which helps with emphasis.

Einstein and relativity more than just “shells of time”

$30.00

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Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

A good example of a good quality vintage (circa 1930’s) specimen jar.

Hard glass design vertical sides, stopper same width as jar, nice ground glass stopper a beautiful fit, some age but authentic. Heavily fluted base for stability. No chemical residue apart from slight “eau de naphthalene” so likely used to store biological / botanical specimens.

Unusual scientific sample jar of upmarket design

$45.00

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Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A superb quality late Victorian brass Direct Vision Spectroscope, of the “Rainband” variety.

The device includes a "train" of alternating crown and flint glass prisms.

Made by Adam Hilger and his brother Otto who operated from Tottenham Court Road London from 1875 until 1916 when the business was taken over with the backing of Vickers. Nicely engraved A Hilger London and in near fine condition protected in its original custom brass canister.

Interestingly, Adam Hilger supplied one of the most advanced spectroscopes of the day to the Sydney Astronomical Observatory in 1878 to be used in conjunction with their Merz 7 ¼ inch refractor. Three prisms alternating quartz and flint glass provide spectral quality clear of aberration.

Neat Victorian Spectroscope top maker clear and true spectrum

$280.00

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The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

Longer title – The Spirit Ridden Konde. A record of the interesting but steadily vanishing customs & ideas gathered during twenty four year residence amongst these shy inhabitants of the Lake Nyasa region, from witch doctors, diviners, hunters, fishers & every native source.

Published by Lippincott a first American edition 1925. A beautifully presented book with serious content regarding the Konde people of Tanzania.

Octavo, 318 pages with folding map and 21 illustrations from photographs. Strikingly vivid blue cloth covered binding with gilt image of native to front, titles to spine. A very good copy.

Mackenzie explores the complex relationship of the Konde people with the spirit world and how it affects their daily lives and their rituals and traditions. He traces their origins and how they migrated to the Lake Nyasa region. Good descriptions of initiation rites of both young men and women. A super book.

No better book about the Konde of Lake Nyasa

$220.00

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Mines and Minerals – Herbert Cox and Felix Ratte – Sydney 1885

The Moth Hunters – Aboriginal Prehistory of the Australian Alps – Josephine Flood.

Einstein’s Universe – Nigel Calder

Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

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