Mining and Geology

Strahan and Macquarie Harbour – Tasmania’s Eldorado

Subtitled … The Commercial Port for the Western Mineral Fields and … the Gem of the States for Tourists and Travellers. Unsurpassed for Scenic Grandeur and as a Health Resort.

Originally published by John Ware of Strahan in 1908 and nigh impossible to get. This like for like facsimile was produced by the western Pioneers’ memorial Museum in 1981. Printed by Walch, Hobart.

Small format, staple bound card covered. Altogether 84 pages, heavily illustrated from period photographs. The last 24 pages with period advertisement as per the original – amazing in themselves.

Well what a vibrant area it was and Strahan was full steam go ahead just after the turn of the previous century. In those days the Union Line brought two stack steamers to Strahan from Hobart, Launceston and the Mainland … they also embarked on voyages connecting New Zealand the South Sea Islands and Vancouver, via Fiji. The Macquarie Harbour Hotel had sixty rooms available.

Mining booming … the previous years returns had show 20,548 oz gold, 1,810,559 oz of silver, 7,682 tons copper, 7,400 tons lead, 5,158 tons galena and zinc, tin etc

It was all go on the West Coast in 1908.

$40.00

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The North East [Tasmania] – Owen Reid

A scarce illustrated history of the North east of Tasmania produced under the auspices of the Education Department in 1977.

Staple bound, large size, card covered, 62 pages with 52 illustrations taken from period photographs … including Bert Hinkler with his aircraft (after his solo England – Australia flight) at Scottsdale and an image of the grandest tree you will ever see. Timber, Mining and the Railways feature well.

Divided into almost equal parts – early Days and then St Helen’s and the Fingal Valley.

The Tasmanian North East – a rich history not to be missed – super illustrations

$35.00

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Cased Anemometer By Baird & Tatlock

A pretty good example of a low speed air meter by top maker Baird & Tatlock. Likely designed for and used in the coal mining industry.

In its original felt lined leather case with attachment screwed to case lid as required. The only blemish is a pressure crack on the face and some paint loss on the blade casing.

The instrument still works well which is somewhat unusual as discard was one way these instruments left their place of work.

The instrument comes with a sliding braking system which protects the delicate gearing. Overall a good example now hard to find

Measure air flow for accuracy and pleasure

$180.00

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Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

A good set of early Guinea Scales with contemporary instructions label. Likely by Stephen Houghton who took over from Anthony Wilkinson at Ormskirk, Lancashire. Wilkinson had died in 1804.

The end pin is bit tight which means the set need to be pulled gently to open.

Self-erecting and known generally as the Lancashire Gold Balance. The brass beam is rectangular in section and has a hinged “turn and swing” overweight which counter poises the beam for the guinea or half-guinea. This set has an uncommon variation with the weight having two components, clearly designed for additional weighing standards.

A small rectangular sliding weight on the load arm registers in graduations to show discrepancies in of under-weight coins.

The collapsing mechanism makes the whole entirely portal in the gentleman’s trouser.

Functioning Georgian Gold Sovereign Scale

$220.00

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A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

Scarce self published, Hobart 2001.

Soft cover, perfect bound, octavo size, 302 pages, illustrated from period photographs, fine condition.

Jim Patterson was born in 1992 in Sydney .. he moved around Australia, married had jobs of sheep stations, woolscour sorter, driver … WWII came long and afterwards in the 1950’s was awarded a War Service Land Settlement block on King Island. This enthralling account is all about the trials and tribulations associated with that life. Politic gets in the way – well it does.

This is a life in a book and the chapters headings give a clue … such as “they burnt the bloody pub down” and “disaster after disaster” … “a boat with one oar” .. the epilogue is more uplifting and it has a nice poem. Don’t be put off – this is a unique account and Jim comes out with a positive conclusion.

King Islands Post War Settler tells the Truth .

$60.00

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[Tasmania] The Zinc Works – Producing Zinc at Risden 1916-1991 – Alison Alexander

Commissioned by Pasminco and written by distinguished and thorough historian Alison Alexander.

Large octavo, perfect bound soft cover, 360 pages with about as many illustrations mainly from period photographs.

One of our favourites among our collection of industrial histories of Tasmania.

This a significant business employing many Tasmanians an enterprise of international scale. So much so it attracted the attention of the Japanese during WWII. The Japanese carried micro reconnaissance aircraft on their submarines, and one was launched to photograph the works. Hobart already had anti-aircraft guns on the go – but they did not fire because the didn’t want to expose their position.

Some very good content about the growth and investment and success of the business and some of the lighter side such as the “belching” competitions in the metallurgy department. Well people were easily amused back then

Zinc works – now that’s a real business.

$40.00

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Strahan and Macquarie Harbour – Tasmania’s Eldorado

The North East [Tasmania] – Owen Reid

Cased Anemometer By Baird & Tatlock

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

A King Island Settler’s Tale – Jim Paterson – Self published

[Tasmania] The Zinc Works – Producing Zinc at Risden 1916-1991 – Alison Alexander

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