Mining and Geology

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

A very good set of early Guinea Scales with contemporary instructions label. Manufactured Stephen Houghton who took over from Anthony Wilkinson at Ormskirk, Lancashire. Wilkinson had died in 1804. We have two very good examples this probably the best.

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. Once folded the end-button release mechanism sets and releases nicely.

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

$190.00

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Fossil Fern Fragments – Lune River Tasmania – Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 million years old.

Three nice small examples of fossil fern from the Lune River area deep in the southern reaches of Tasmania. Nicely cut and polished.

The dating of the examples in this location to the middle of the early Jurassic Period (182 Ma) was by isotopic measurements on zircons found in the volcanic sandstone hosting the fossils (Bromfield et al 2007). Also refer the excellent guide by P. Manchester.

A nice cabinet group weighing circa 60gms.

Fossil ferns from Jurassic Tasmania .

SO SORRY SOLD

$30.00

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Tasmania’s North East – Loone

A 1981 re-issue of the near impossible to get 1920’s publication by the respected Loone.

Octavo, hardback printed in Launceston, 189 pages set as the original with period images etc. Fine copy, with a perfect dust jacket albeit we do not take to the modern design.

Loone was a pioneer of the area and a dignitary of Scottsdale. He sets out his story in discrete chapters that tell their own story. Much about the early settler’s explorations, the development of Scottsdale. Mining in the area and specifics of various finds good and bad. Forestry and agriculture. Early recollections of aboriginal identities.

Tasmanian North East one of the worlds best North East’s,

$50.00

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Anakie – The Sapphire Fields of Central Queensland – Walda Scholler

Self published by Walda Scholler who lived at Anakie in Queensland which is just west of Emerald – still a reasonable drive from Rockhampton.

Card cover, 112 pages, nicely illustrated, this edition published 1990, printed at Yeppon.

Signed nicely by the author but we think they probably all were.

Some almighty special gems have been found at Annakie – they have names – The Golden Willow, Stonebridge’s Green, the Centenary Gem and the Black Star of Queensland [Biggest in the World]. That alone should get your gem hunting juices going.

Interesting content re the Kajanjian brothers of Los Angeles, gem cutters and dealers who bought the Black Star. To cement their control they purchased many of the big finds at Anakie.

Anakie Gem Fields almost a secret

$35.00

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Queensland Fossil Plants – Dicotyledon and Others – Redbank Plains Formation – 45 Million Years

A nice slab of carbonaceous shale showing numerous preserved plants from the middle Eocene era – circa 45 million years ago – a period regraded as the “dawn of modern life”.

Fossils were found in the Redbank Plains area as early as 1900 by settlers. Most of the sites have been built out which makes the having of specimens all that more cherishable.

A good example 19.0cm by 16.0cm, 3.0cm deep, weighing 1,180gms

Earliest examples of Australian modern plants – if that makes sense.

$65.00

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Beaconsfield Tasmania – Town with a History – Coultman Smith

Soft cover self published by the author in 1978. A super history, a really good job done on the Tasmanian mining town by Coultman Smith. Very good condition bar the ghost of an old sticker front cover.

Perfect bound, 78 pages, illustrated throughout including pull-out town plan which helps you get around the text. We love the image of the author on the rear cover – fag in mouth and a good smile for an ex army Colonel.

We love it – and a special one for mining buffs.

Beaconsfield probably the best one.

$30.00

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Folding Georgian Guinea Scales c1805

Fossil Fern Fragments – Lune River Tasmania – Early Jurassic Forest circa 182 million years old.

Tasmania’s North East – Loone

Anakie – The Sapphire Fields of Central Queensland – Walda Scholler

Queensland Fossil Plants – Dicotyledon and Others – Redbank Plains Formation – 45 Million Years

Beaconsfield Tasmania – Town with a History – Coultman Smith

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