Non-fiction

Voyages of the Dutch Brig of War Dourga, Through the Southern and Little-Known Parts of the Moluccan Archipelago, and along the previously unknown southern coast of New Guinea, Performed during the Years 1825 & 1826. – Lieutenant D.H. Kolff – Translated by G. W Earl.

A first English edition published by James Madden & Co, London 1840.

A quite unusual copy of an unusual voyages book. Octavo, 365 pages after preliminaries, including author’s introduction and translator’s preface. Ex Dundee Free Library (long defunct) with their occasional stamp. Rebound in an extravagant relevant style with batik covered boards, black cloth spine with separate gilt titled red leather label. Carries the two important maps, one as frontispiece and one double page (attributed to G.W. Earl) after the preface. A little spotting to maps and title, generally very clean inside. A very good copy accepting those limitations.

Dirk Hendrik Koff (1800-1843) was a high achieving and decorated Dutch naval officer. Joining the navy at 14 first in the West and then the East Indies. At 17 he was fighting pirates in and around Java and soon given the command of a gunboat. By the age of 22 he was promoted to onshore bureaucracy. Sonne tired of that he was given the command of the Douraga in which he would make this exploratory voyage. Hailed a success (the Dutch would annex what is now Iryan Jaya two years later) he received the gold medal by King William II in the Netherlands.

The translator George Windsor Earl (1813-1865) was active in the region and in particular northern parts of Australia. His rare book on the establishment at Melville Island is a worthy read. He is attributed with coining the term “Indu-nesian”

$290.00

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Tasmanian Period Photograph – Dover Beach and Adamson’s Peak – J.C. Breaden

A nice image of the Adamson’s Peak, in the Hartz Mountains, over the beach at Dover Southern Tasmania c1930, by J.C. Breaden carrying his studio stamp at rear. Size 22 x 16.5 cm. Overall in good condition.

J.C. Breaden is recorded as having been a gifted Hobart amateur photographer who was active from 1920. He died in 1947. The rear of the photograph carries his stamp of Agent General of Tasmania and various notes.

An overcast day at Dover beach looking south to Adamson’s Peak.

$50.00

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Photograph from Burrow’s Studios Launceston North End of Great Lake

An original photograph from Burrow’s Photo Studios, Quadrant, Launceston. The North End of Great Lake, Tasmania. Size 21 x 16.5cm the image filling the whole of the photograph. Overall in good condition. The rear of the photograph carries the Burrow’s Photo Studios stamp and address at the Quadrant and, that of the Agent General for Tasmania, London and various notes.

There was a Burrows photographic business at the Quadrant, Launceston as early as the 1850′s. The business continued and was style “Photo Studios” in the 1920′s.

Pleasure craft on the Great Lake

$50.00

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Photograph by B Sheppard, Tasmania Mount Olympus and Lake Sinclair Tasmania

An original photograph by B (Benjamin) Sheppard (1902-1987). Across Lake Sinclair to Mount Olympus. Size 21 x 16cm. Overall in good condition.

Sheppard was most active in the 1950’s and the photograph likely comes from that period. The rear of the photograph carries B Sheppard’s stamp, that of the Agent General for Tasmania and various notes.

String contrasting image on an overcast day

$50.00

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Direct Vision “Rainband” Cased Brass Spectroscope – Late Victorian

A good example of a hand held direct vision spectroscope made by or to a design by John Browning of London.

Late Victorian in manufacture and in its original case. Works nicely and produces sublime spectra. Contains a train of alternating crown and flint glass prisms in order to correct for chromatic aberration. Brass body left unpolished as is preferred by collectors of fine scientific instruments. Original plush lined case is in very good condition and the clasp still hold firm.

This design is also known as the “Rainband” spectroscope and was used by gentlemen scientist to detect the spectral bands that appear as water vapour builds in the atmosphere prior to a shower of rain. This is the more sophisticated version with a knurled device for altering the slit width and a draw tube for fine focus.

Very good condition working spectroscope

$280.00

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The Badge of the Artists Rifles (Special Air Service)

The Artists Rifles was formed in 1860. The idea of the Artists occurred to Edward Sterling, an art student and ward of Thomas Carlyle, who convened a meeting of fellow students in the life class of Carey’s School of Art, Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury – from this the Corps of Artists was formed consisting of painters, sculptors, engravers, musicians, architects and actors. The badge was designed by Wyon, the Queen’s medallist –consisting of two heads: Mars – God of War and Minerva – Goddess of Wisdom. The badge carries the motto “Cum Marte Minerva” also the title of the regimental march. A regimental rhyme of note is “Mars, he was the God of war, and didn’t stop at trifles, Minerva was a bloody whore. So hence The Artists’ Rifles”.

Light weight pressed metal 9cm by 6cm. strong deep relief.

The Artists have an outstanding war record; the Victoria Cross being awarded on eight occasions. Whilst disbanded in 1945 they were reformed in 1947 as the 21st Special Air service Regiment (Artists Rifles).

Notable members of The Artists included Ford Madox Brown, Edward Burne-Jones, Noel Coward, Frank Dobson, Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes OBE, Frederic Leighton, William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Barnes Wallis

$80.00

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Voyages of the Dutch Brig of War Dourga, Through the Southern and Little-Known Parts of the Moluccan Archipelago, and along the previously unknown southern coast of New Guinea, Performed during the Years 1825 & 1826. – Lieutenant D.H. Kolff – Translated by G. W Earl.

Tasmanian Period Photograph – Dover Beach and Adamson’s Peak – J.C. Breaden

Photograph from Burrow’s Studios Launceston North End of Great Lake

Photograph by B Sheppard, Tasmania Mount Olympus and Lake Sinclair Tasmania

Direct Vision “Rainband” Cased Brass Spectroscope – Late Victorian

The Badge of the Artists Rifles (Special Air Service)

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