Highlights

Original autograph letter, signed `Chas. Lyell' from Kirriemuir, 17 Aug. 1870, to an unnamed correspondent, (the publisher, John Murray?). The letter concerns proofs and corrections to his `work relating to the Sheppey fruits'. Sir Charles Lyell (1797-1874) was the leading geologist of the day. He was a close and influential friend of Charles Darwin. This letter is concerned with Lyell's soon to be published book, most probably `Elements of Geology, Students Series' which was published in 1871

Andre Deutsch 1969. Atwood's first novel. From our literature selection we are exhibiting at the fair.

VANCOUVER, George (1757-1798). London : printed for G.G. & J. Robinson and J. Edwards, London, 1798. Three volumes, quarto, and one atlas folio. A fine set. In terms of the history of European exploration of the southwest of the Australian continent, Vancouver’s voyage was highly significant.

London: Edward Moxon & Co., 1859. First Edition. Morocco. Small octavo : [10] 261 [3] [6, with original binding laid onto the leaves] : t.e.g. : red morocco boards with edges ruled in gilt : turn ins also gilt ruled : five raised bands to spine, lettered and ruled in gilt with repeating wreath motif. Occasional minor fox mark. Near fine. Item #2484

London: Published for the subscribers by the Author, 1888. Second Edition. Two volumes imperial quarto : pp lxxiv, 250, 6; xv, 359 : 50 plates (48 chromolithographed and hand-finished) by Kuelemans : all edges gilt : original boards with bird designs in gilt to top boards : sympathetically re-backed in green calf with five raised bands :INSCRIBED by Buller in volume one, "Captain Fairchild, with best wishes of the Author, W. Buller, May 24, 1891"... Limited to 1000 copies for subscribers only, Buller's second edition was larger, revised, and with many more plates than the original...

[Circa 1942]. An original coloured chalk portrait of Colonel Chih Wang - The board measures 34.5. by 27.5cm. A coloured chalk (pastel) portrait of Colonel Chih Wang (later Major General Chih Wang) by noted Australian artist, Charles Wheeler, circa 1942, together with a colour copy of the portrait as it appeared in 'The Australasian', October 16,1943. Wheeler who won 'The Archibald Prize' in 1933, was commissioned to do a series of portraits of figures relating to WWII in the Pacific that were eventually printed in ’The Australasian’. Fully signed C. Wheeler.

London, Constable & Co, 1925. First edition. Martin Boyd's first novel, published under a nom de plume.

Impressive and rare map published on the eve of gold discovery, before Victoria became a separate colony, and one of the very first produced locally. The scarce key notes the districts and land settlement of identified squatters “carefully corrected” and updated on the map.

Detail of a French Book of Hours, c.1490, with a dragon lurking amongst acanthus leaves. The dragon depicted on this Book of Hours leaf may well have been included in the illuminations as a reminder to the devout reader of the evils associated with the creature and to direct him or her to the safety and truth of the holy text where salvation was to be found. A fine leaf with a different panel of illuminations on the Verso.

We are bringing a large collection of Wisden's. Although some have had repairs to the spine, examples of early Wisden's are becoming quite hard to find in any condition.

The major monograph of Russian painter, scene and costume designer, Leon Bakst (1866-1924), the first in English, published alongside a French edition, L’Art Decorative de Leon Bakst, in the same year. Appreciation by Arsene Alexandre. Notes on the ballets by Jean Cocteau, translated from the French by Harry Melvill.