Tasmania and Van Diemens Land

Hobart Tramways – Ian Cooper

Self published by the author in 1993. Scarce and worthy history of the Hobart tramways .. we wish they were still here.

Perfect bond small folio, 64 pages, magnificently illustrated from original photographs, mots not found anywhere else. End paper maps of the tram networks.

The Hobart tram system was the first successful electric tram system in the Southern Hemisphere commencing in 1893.

With systems out to Glenorchy through Springfield; the Lenah Valley; Proctors Road; Sandy Bay; West Hobart and a beauty out to the Cascades and the Brewery. Those that know Hobart will understand the extensiveness and the amenity that the tramways must provided.

The author a transport buff who made it his career spent many years in Hobart even though this publication was completed after he had returned to the other island.

Irreplaceable history of the Hobart trams and superb photographic record..

$60.00

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The Port Arthur Coal Mines [Tasmania] 1833-1877 – Ian Brand

A first edition, soft cover of this enlightening Industrial Local History about the convict worked coal mines on the Tasman Peninsula.

Perfect bound, octavo size, ninety pages nicely illustrated. Published by Regal Press, Launceston, no date but generally agreed c1995. A super as new copy.

A great history from the discovery of coal in the 1830’s and the initial years of working with convict labour before their eventual passing to private hands in 1848 and closure in 1877.

Interesting Industrial History – Coal in Tasmania

$30.00

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Fatal Storm -The 54th Sydney to Hobart Yacht – Rob Mundie – First Edition 1999

For those that remember it, and for many impossible to forget, the storm that took six lives in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was beyond any expectations. Waves a high as 100 feet (half the size of the Sydney Opera House) pounded boats in the Bass Strait for more than a day. This is the record of those events.

Softcover, published by Harper and Collins in 1999. Large octavo, 317 pages with numerous illustrations many in colour. Very good almost as new condition.

Real life Fatal Storm – Sydney Hobart 1998

$30.00

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The Founding of Hobart 1803-1804 – Frank Bolt

The author of this fine book, Frank Bolt, was surprised that he could not find any book on the very early period of the settlement of Hobart. So he carried out his own research and effectively self published this work.

Large octavo, 320 pages, illustrated, with folding plan, printed to a high standard. A first edition 2004 and in as new condition.

An unusual work in structure … Bolt explain his approach well in the lengthy Preface. Having assembled all of the exiting evidence his challenge was how to present it … landing on the idea of creating a faux diary of events on a nearly day by day basis. It work very well. After a further introductory “Prologue” the diary runs from page 38 through to page 279. Within this there are separate brief “cut-aways” regarding the “difference between the initial Risdon Settlement and the final Settlement at Sullivan’s Cove and “the Cargo of the Collin’s Expedition”.

Notes on Sources are kept until the end and are extensive and useful as well is a list of the Pioneers of Hobart Town. And Meehan’s Plan of circa 1811.

Hobart the early days revisited

$60.00

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Close to the Wind – [Round the World Single Handed and Rescue] – Pete Goss

The story of adventurer Pete Goss’s involvement in the 1996/7 Vandee Globe – round the World single handed event France and back.

Only six finished and Goss was fifth … he had however to go back in the Southern Ocean to rescue Raphael Dinelli who would have died for sure without Pete Goss. He took Dinelli back to Hobart and continued on in the race alone. This is the same race that saw the famous capsizing of Tony Bullimore and, sadly the loss of Gerry Roufs.

Softcover, published by Headline in 1998. Large octavo, 282 pages nicely illustrated. A very good near fine copy.

Pete Goss received and deserved his Legion d’Honneur.

$25.00

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Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

Maureen Byrne was a professional archaeologist which makes this “local history” rather more honed and full of well researched fact.

Anyone who loves Tasmania either as a local or a visitor cannot help fall in love with the town of Ross and its magnificent convict built bridge.

Published in 1969 by the Australian Society of Historical Archaeology in conjunction with the Ross Council and its then appointed Bridge Restoration Committee .. now there’s a worthwhile cause.

Squarish perfect bound card covered, 51 pages with folding plans at rear. Extensively illustrated from photographs taken by the author. A very good copy.

The bridge was to undergo restoration with the removal of badly laid thick tarmacadam … this was the chance to call in the expert Byrne. A special record was made … the best part being something that could have received better treatment earlier .. 186 carvings, 31 over the top of each arch. Among the carvings along with those involved in the creation of the bridge we have … Jorgen Jorgensen the Danish adventurer then part of life in Van Diemens Land; Governor George Arthur resplendent in his top hat; John Headlam a hated school master in his mortar board; William Kermode a local grazier .. along with horned goods and wild beasts.

Comparison with Italian bridge architecture add interest.

The Ross Bridge rivals European Bridge Architecture with its numerous carvings.

$50.00

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Hobart Tramways – Ian Cooper

The Port Arthur Coal Mines [Tasmania] 1833-1877 – Ian Brand

Fatal Storm -The 54th Sydney to Hobart Yacht – Rob Mundie – First Edition 1999

The Founding of Hobart 1803-1804 – Frank Bolt

Close to the Wind – [Round the World Single Handed and Rescue] – Pete Goss

Ross Bridge Tasmania – Studies in Historical Archaeology – Maureen Byrne

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