Western Australia

Early Voyages to Terra Australia now called Australia: A Collection of documents, and extracts from early manuscript maps, illustrative of the history of discovery on the coasts of that vast island. From the beginning of the sixteenth century tp the tome of Captain Cook. – R.M Major FSA

Published by Burt Franklin, New York 1963. A faithful facsimile of the scarce desirable original by the Hakluyt Society of 1859. Good condition; would be very good but contains traces of being in the Parliament Library but let go as carries the signature of Manfred Cross. No Jacket as published.

This is a landmark book about the European discovery of Australia pre Cook.

Octavo, hardcover, no jacket as issued, blue cloth covered boards pseudo Hakluyt style. unusual form in that contains a 119 page introduction followed by 200 pages of text. Three super multi folding charts.

Contains …….

A Memorial addressed to the King of Spain, by Juan Lusi Arias, re the exploration, of the Southern Land, translated from the Spanish Original”;

Relation of Luis Vaez de Torres on the discoveries of Quiros. Dated Manila, July 12, 1607.

A translation by Alexander Dalrymple from a Spanish manuscript originally published in Burney’s ‘Discoveries in the South Sea’.

Extract from Book of Dispatches from Batavia, January the 15th 1644, ending November the 29th following, from Dalymple’s ‘Collections Concerning Papua’.

The Voyage and Shipwreck of Pelsart, in the ‘Batavia’, on the Coast of New Holland, translated from Trevenot’s ‘Recueil des Voyages Curieux’.

Voyage of Pool to the South Land. Translated from Valentyn’s ‘Beschryvinghe van Banda’.

Account of the Wreck of the ‘De Vergulde Draeck’ on the South Land, from manuscripts at the Hague.

Description of the West Coast of the South Land by Vokersen, of the ‘Waeckende Boey’, which sailed from Batavia in 1658, from manuscripts at The Hague.

The observations of Dampier on the coast of New Holland, in 1687-1688.

The voyage of Willem de Vlamingh to New Holland in 1696 from manuscripts at The Hague.

Voyage to the Unexplored South land, by order of the Dutch East India Company, in the years 1696 and 1697, by the ‘De Nyptang’, the De Geelvink’ and the ‘De Wesel’, from manuscripts at The Hague.

Observations of Dampier on the coast of New Holland, in 1699.The voyage of the ‘Vossenbosch’, the D’Wijer’, and the ‘Nova Hollandia’, dispatched by the government of India from manuscripts at The Hague.

The Houtman’s Abrolhos in 1727, translated by Captain P.A. Loupe of the Dutch Navy”.

$80.00

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Batavia’s Graveyard – The True Story of the Mad Heretic Who Led History’s Bloodiest Mutiny – M Dash

First edition of Mike Dash’s book on the bloody Batavia story. Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London 2002.

Thick octavo, 398 pages including extensive bibliography. A very good. Illustrated with maps and charts.

The Dutch East India vessel Batavia struck an uncharted reef off the West Coast of Australia on her maiden voyage in 1629. A total of 332 men, women and children were on board. A few headed off in a life boat to seek help. The remainder ended up on a small coral island less than a kilometre long. A band of mutineers began a cold – blooded killing spree … only eight remained alive when help arrived three months later. The ringleader Jeronimus Cornelisz a failed apothecary and heretic.

Gruesome true story of the strangest atrocities following a shipwreck off Australia in 1629.

$35.00

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Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

Published by Methuen, Sydney in 1979, an exceptionally clean copy of this respected book about Australian snakes and lizards.

Pocket sized hardback, every snake and lizard accompanied by a good coloured image clear enough to actually identify the species [this clarity issue is a problem with mots other books on the subject].

The book commences with some general information on snakes and lizards but be warned that the treatment for snake bite is no longer the preferred method – keep up to date with that!

Our not so favourite – the red-bellied black snake that we used to see in our garden in Pullenvale west Brisbane

Snakes and Lizards a perfect combo.

$30.00

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Chrysocolla [Copper Silcate] – Kumarina – Western Australia

Chrysocolla, such a beautiful colouring. A hydrated copper silicate from the oxidation zone around copper deposits. Likely from the Peak Hill’s region Kumarina copper mine which closed down in the 1970’s.

A beautifully example 8.0cm by 6.5cm, 2.0cm deep, weighing 130.0gm

Chrysolcolla a nice Western Australian example

$30.00

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Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

Fraser’s Gold Mine is south-west of Southern Cross in Western Australia. Gold was mined here from 1886, discovered by Hugh Fraser. It was the first large scale gold mine in the Eastern Goldfields region if not the colony. Fraser’s Gold Mining Company was floated in 1889, Hugh Fraser given half the shares. Things did not initially go well and further capital was required – Hugh Fraser refused the request and he had control. He was eventually persuaded but not without receiving concessions, security, seat on the Board etc – sound familiar. He died penniless seemingly.

The balance of the history is equally interesting but too long for here. The mining activities were eventually brought together in a “big pit” and was inactive in the St Barbara portfolio. May be the operation sold to Hanking and then on to another Chinese operator – not sure … any help received with thanks

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8cm by 8cm.

Good image of the historically important Fraser’s Gold Mine.

$80.00

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Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

Idriess on patrol for twelve hundred miles with the North West Mounted Police. First published interpretations of aboriginal message sticks.

Eight printing of the first edition published in 1945. Octavo, 316 pages, illustrated from original photographs – some super images of aboriginal groups.Usual evenly toned paper from the war clean though and with some insect nibbles to the dust jacket edges – otherwise still a good copy.

Idriess in the Kimberleys

$40.00

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Early Voyages to Terra Australia now called Australia: A Collection of documents, and extracts from early manuscript maps, illustrative of the history of discovery on the coasts of that vast island. From the beginning of the sixteenth century tp the tome of Captain Cook. – R.M Major FSA

Batavia’s Graveyard – The True Story of the Mad Heretic Who Led History’s Bloodiest Mutiny – M Dash

Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

Chrysocolla [Copper Silcate] – Kumarina – Western Australia

Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

Over The Range Sunshine and Shadows in the Kimberley’s – Ion Idriess

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