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Curiosities

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  • The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

    The Randall Art Gallery and School of Painting – South Brisbane – Catalogue of Works in Oils, Water Colours, Pastels, Black and White etc by the Late R.J. Randall

    A very scarce dedication to Richard John Randall (1869-1906), Queensland Artist. As you can see he died early – of a suggested brain tumour. In such a short time he had produced an incredibly broad body of work – he was a poet also.

    No date of publication, we can only find the National Library copy and they suggest with a ? 1919 – we think maybe 1907 because of a memoriam dated such, at the very back, from his father.

    His father George was involved in immigration and spent quite some time in England. Richard accompanied him on an extended stay in early adulthood and studied under known English landscape masters .. Randall himself was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art for his “Hay Mill”.

    His death was a tragic jolt for his father George who spent many years afterwards promoting his sons works – he commissioned this Catalogue of Works.

    Softcover, 90 pages, illustrated throughout with images of the paintings and super images of his studios and the official collection of his works which were donated to a named gallery at the City Hall. Very good 12 page narrative appreciation to front.

    There is a further story if you have the patience for it. Randall’s Studio was preserved in South Brisbane but came under pressure from developers in the 1990’s – the type that knocked things down in the night – then and still now. The top floor was preserved and it was moved by the Council – it then suffered from neglect and vandalism and was moved again to the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens – you can see it there near the car park.

    John Randall perhaps up there for Queensland’s greatest artist taken early but left a lot.

    $140.00

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  • Ancient Maps and Explorers’ Routes on Stamps – Stern

    Ancient Maps and Explorers’ Routes on Stamps – Stern

    Probably our favourite from the Map Collectors’ Circle publication published in 1964 No 15 by M F Stern

    A super subject well researched and documented by the author under the watchful eye of Editor in Chief the one only R.V. Tooley.

    Usual small quarto perfect bound softcover comprising 22 pages with illustrations throughout the text, not at the end as if the usual form – we like this.

    When we first read this it took Voyager back to his childhood and many hours were spent scrabbling around trying to find that old stamp album. Another early hobby has been rejuvenated but with this map related speciality.

    Maps on stamps – should have thought about it earlier!

    $30.00

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  • Antarctica – Reginald Ford

    Antarctica – Reginald Ford

    An unusual facsimile presentation of one of the rarest heroic era publications – the tiny book “Antarctica” which was originally published in New Zealand in 1906.

    A boxed set of items by the Erskine Press issued in 2015 comprising solid black box with a front label copy of the front cover repeated .. inside two postcards – Discovery in Winter Quarters from a painting by A.E. (Uncle Bill) Wilson and A new and accurate map of the islands of the Antarctic etc by Talland Power for the Erskine Press; a stout copy of a broadsheet advertising a lecture “Farthest South” by Mr C Reginald Ford with various positive opinions and press remarks. Also, a 12 page, card covered potted biography of Charles Reginald Ford by Crispin de Boos. And, the said facsimile with linen textured card cover, 32 pages numerous images – a faithful facsimile including the odd light stain from the original.

    Ford was a steward on the Discovery Expedition and was the first person to beak his leg on the Antarctic when he was skiing. He was so well regarded that on return he acted as Scott’s secretary during his extensive leaders lecture tour.

    Try to find an original if you can – the next best thing is this unusual collection from the Polar mad Erskine Press .

    $85.00

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  • Manuscripts in the Charter Chest at Cluny Castle: relating to the Clan Chattan and the Cluny of 1745.

    Privately printed by R&R Clark, Edinburgh, 1879.Octavo, original wrappers, worn at spine and foxed on covers, but excuse it for its rarity. All edges gilt, 60 pages.

    Previous owners signature in black ink on cover and inscription … the last of the direct line of 17th Highland Chief, Albert Cameron Macpherson (1854-1932).

    A most interesting and unique historical document from the charter chest (a form of safe) of the Scottish seat of Cluny Castle. The clan Macpherson took their name in the 15th century and with a confederation of other clans formed the might Clan Chattan, During the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, Ewan Macpherson supported the failed attempt against the English. He fled to France with a number of others of wealth … they had a nice time, unlike those that remained.

    Cluny secrets told nowhere else.

    $90.00

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  • Printed Maps of St Kitts, St Lucia and St Vincent – R.V. Tooley

    Printed Maps of St Kitts, St Lucia and St Vincent – R.V. Tooley

    The Map Collectors’ Circle publication published Nos 81 by the great R.V. Tooley in 1972. Very good condition. Australian cartographic expert and publish author T.M. Perry’s copy with his stamp.

    In the ubiquitous flesh coloured card covers, design to front. 19 pages of detailed catalogue plus 25 plates of maps.

    All three of these islands were “discovered” by Colombus in 1493, 1502 and 1498 respective to the title.

    St Kitts also went by the name St Christopher. Variously they were controlled by the British [ St Kitts Britain’s oldest colony 1623]. Control exchanged hands between the British, French and Spanish are various times settling as British Colonies in the early 19thC.

    Because of all of this “carry-on” there are some striking early maps of the islands and the broader West Indies – the key examples are here.

    More than hot pepper sauce the beautiful trilogy in the Caribbean.

    $35.00

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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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