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Curiosities

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  • Thermograph – Ex Australian Antarctic Division

    Thermograph – Ex Australian Antarctic Division

    A vintage instrument and an essential piece of Antarctic equipment something to measure and record the temperature over time.

    This is the weekly “Bureau of Meteorology” CBM metal cased design with clockwork drum – which ticks away quite pleasantly.

    We say ex Australian Antarctic because there is a big sticker on the back saying it was disposed – we will leave it for others to remove.

    Weighs a bit so a postage supplement may be required – enquire and we will do our best ….

    The principle used is that a coiled bi-metallic strip [steel and copper] is attached to a long light lever or arm that holds a tiny pen. Small movements in the bi-metallic strip cause much larger movements at the end of the arm making the pen rise and fall with changes in temperature – these changes being recorded on the chart which is clockwork driven and turns once every week – in this case. A simple but effective analogue process.

    Thermograph from the Australian Antarctic Division which has no doubt been safely digitised and using poisonous batteries rather than eco friendly hand cranked clocks.

    $220.00

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  • Royal Hobart Regatta – Tasman’s Centenary Regatta -1838-1938

    Royal Hobart Regatta – Tasman’s Centenary Regatta -1838-1938

    A little tired but a great piece of Tasmanian ephemera the official souvenir programme of the centenary regatta which doubled as a commemoration of Tasman’s discovery in 1642.

    Such was the importance of the event in those days it was attended by senior representatives of His Majesty’s Australian Squadron, the New Zealand Squadron, the Royal Nederland’s Navy, the French Navy and the Italian Navy.

    As well as the multitude of water events there was also the Aquatic Ball, the presentation of the Centenary Medal, Wood chopping, Illuminations, Fireworks etc

    82 pages, rear cover missing with last page but the delightful front page retained quit nicely. Images of Tasman, Franklin, various current dignitaries, chart of the Derwent with course markers, images of flying boat etc. Good historical narrative and setting.

    The 1938 Centenary Regatta – If only for the cover

    $25.00

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  • A Vindication of Phrenology – W. Matthieu Williams – First edition 1894

    Published by Chatto and Windus, London in 1894 a first edition of this “vindication” book by the esteemed phrenologist Williams.

    Largish octavo, xxii, 428 pages. Frontispiece photograph of the author pondering the shape of the head and its bumps crevices. Several illustrated plates and figures within the text. A very good copy.

    The author was a distinguished scientist and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Chemical Society. He also authored a book titled “The Chemistry of Cooking” … Heston please note.

    If you don’t understand phrenology well this is the book for you … interest in the pseudo science was waning by this date maybe hence the vindication … some good things came out of it though … it’s all a matter of perspective.

    Phrenology explained and vindicated!

    $90.00

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  • First Class Polo – Tactics & Match Play – Brigadier-General R. L. Ricketts.

    First Class Polo – Tactics & Match Play – Brigadier-General R. L. Ricketts.

    For those that have always wanted to understand polo beyond the general idea of horses, a mallet and a bamboo ball (well plastic now) this is the book. Get ahead become an expert and make the right calls at these posh events.

    A fine copy of a super scarce book outlining the secrets of good polo play. Second edition, effectively self-published through Gale & Polden of Aldershot [British Military town] and London et, 1938.

    Octavo, 48 pages and IX full pages plates of tactics guaranteed to win the play.

    Ricketts played for the Alwar team in India circa 1900 and they won trophy after trophy – see the image of the frontispiece. They won the Indian Polo association Championship for several years and the Delhi Durbar without a single defeat scoring 117 goals against only 15.

    Ricketts describes the “merciless hitting of the ordinary easy ball by the Maharajah, and the advantages of the golf drive trajectory which he imparted to it etc”.

    Rickett’s motivation for the book is the fact that the Americans had more recently dominated the sport and to win back the advantage a quicker harder form of polo must be played. Bit like Bazball if you get that ..

    Ricketts on Polo everything you need to know to beat the Yankees

    $90.00

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  • Scientific Instrument – Measuring magnetic field produced by an electrical current against the Earth’s magnetic field (compass) – Flemings Right Hand Rule etc – likely Philip Harris c 1930.

    Scientific Instrument – Measuring magnetic field produced by an electrical current against the Earth’s magnetic field (compass) – Flemings Right Hand Rule etc – likely Philip Harris c 1930.

    Nicely made pine / mahogany box with removeable glass lid; back wall hinges down. Inside we have a good sensitive compass and two sets of parallel wires which are internally connected to the two brass terminals on the front wall. We say likely Philip Harris of Birmingham England, it is not marked, but it sure looks like their reliable work to us. 11cm by 11cm 4 cm deep – very good condition

    The application of various levels of current will provide a changing level of deflection in the compass. This will vary also as the instrument is revolved around the compass line. i.e. the true reading is gained with the parallel wires lined up North / south with the compass. There will be zero deflection at 90 degrees to that. Of course the instrument can be used to measure current in reverse principle – see out notes on the tangent galvanometer.

    The maths involved is pretty straight forward and very enlightening for anyone who has missed the physics challenge at school or for an interested youngster about to embark on it.

    Flemings Right Hand Rule proves very reliable

    $120.00

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  • Collection of Vintage Fishing Floats

    Collection of Vintage Fishing Floats

    A super collection of vintage fishing floats an number hand made. Some quite well used but float collecting is not like stamps – a mint float is unromantic.

    Thirty or so in all – would make an interesting display or just to have would be good.

    What floats your boat?

    $90.00

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