Fiction

Parrot and Olivier in America – Peter Carey – First Edition

First printing of the first edition published in Australia by Hamish Hamilton, precedes UK and USA firsts.

Large octavo, 452 pages. Bound in specked cream paper covered boards with elaborate coloured parrot image to front [repeated in miniature top of spine], and a “celerifere” to the rear board ["celefifere" repeated in the text] .Decorative end papers – parrot feathers to front, part French Flag to rear. Dust jacket complete – note the marks are artwork not defects. A very nice production which makes for a good book. Very good condition.

Olivier is born into a post revolution aristocratic French family; Parrot the son of an English printer. They adventure to America – Parrot as a spy and protector. As you would expect with Carey a complex, thought-provoking novel with all of the emotions and an “improbable work of art”?

Peter Carey another brilliant and unusual novel from the Australian writer from Bacchus Marsh. And then there is the “celerifere”!

$50.00

Updating cart…

Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

I very nice copy of the single volume first edition translation published in 1797. Boscawen, the authority, had brought out the “Odes” a few years earlier – must say we prefer the “lighter” satires.

Octavo, 559 pages, contemporary full speckled leather binding with lavish gilt ruling to front and back, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather label titled gilt. Marbled endpapers, gilt design along inside edge.

Book label of Rev H Strangeways likely the original owner and explains lavish binding. Only fault is some loss of leather top of spine from presumably frequent reference.

Horace – it’s never too late to become acquainted.

SO SORRY SOLD

$180.00

Updating cart…

A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

A novelised account of the authors father, Jack Sheppard [born at Ranelagh in the Huon Valley] and Jack Doderidge [from Koonya on the Tasman Peninsula].

Self-published by the author in 2015, octavo, 258 pages. Super near fine condition. We can only find print on demand copies. This not so as it’s signed by the Author to Maria.

The author is not Hemingway, but nevertheless we find this book lively, information and entertaining when allowed. After all there are some tricky times including an enforced stay at Stalag 13C.

Novelised based on the true story of two Jacks from Tasmania.

$40.00

Updating cart…

The Lure of the Limerick – William S Baring-Gould.

Published by Rupert Hart-Davis, London in 1969. Squat quarto, 143 pages, very good condition.

If you have made it through life without a few limericks “up your sleeve”, then you are missing out. Limericks by nature are often a bit rude … well crude – but that’s the point.

Imagine that ghastly dinner party, or better still a business lunch or annual get-together. It’s all a bit tired and predictable and, maybe fortified out it pops ….

“There was a young student of Johns

Who wanted to bugger the swans.

But the loyal hall porter

Said, “Sir, take my daughter.

Them birds are reserved for the dons”

If there is complete silence – regard that as success!

Rest assured some contain Australia – just not as good.

Limericks – become an expert overnight.

$30.00

Updating cart…

Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Just the Words [A Lie] – 2 Volumes Complete

First editions hardback [soft cover more common] published by Methuen in 1989.

Thick perfect bound, 325, 349 pages, laminated pictorial boards. Inside toned as always, the nature of the paper used.

We say “A Lie” in or title because there are illustrations from Python photographs in each volume – quite humorous if you get their wit.

Enough Python to get you through the winter and/or improve your skills at confusing others. Our favourite sketch – “Ten Seconds of Sex”

Double Python – feels rather greedy.

$40.00

Updating cart…

D.H. Lawrence’s John Thomas & Lady Jane – According to Spike Milligan – First Edition

First edition published by Michael Joseph, London in 1995.

John Thomas and Lady Jane was another take on Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence but was not published during his lifetime – after all the was quiet a curfuffle regarding Lady C and Lawrence hardly made a cent out of it.

Here Spike produces a surprising reprise of John Thomas and Lady Jane and we doubt if any of the bawdy references are omitted although a quite a few humorous elements are inserted [anti-pun intended]

A good clean copy [pun intended] octavo, 169 pages, good jacket, super condition.

Spike and D.H.L. – well he did re-write the Bible.

$35.00

Updating cart…

Parrot and Olivier in America – Peter Carey – First Edition

Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

The Lure of the Limerick – William S Baring-Gould.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Just the Words [A Lie] – 2 Volumes Complete

D.H. Lawrence’s John Thomas & Lady Jane – According to Spike Milligan – First Edition

Product Categories