Highlights

​Sydney, Angus & Robertson, London, Y.J. Pentland, 1895. First edition, later issue : ppxiv, 184; 8vo, original blue green cloth, gilt lettering and gilt top edges. Light tanning to endpapers and edges, minimal wear to corners & marking to back board. A near fine copy of this iconic work. Identical to the first issue except for `Preface by Rolf Boldrewood' on the title page, and bound in blue green cloth instead of burgundy. See Jonathan Wantrup, Vol.11, pp.981-90. One of the two books which launched George Robertson as the first `real' Australian literary publisher.

Jiji Shinpōsha. Jūjikan. Osaka. Taisho 12 (1923). This 1923 photographic album commemorates the 6th Far Eastern Championship Games, which were held in Osaka. Participating nations were the Philippines, Republic of China, and Japan, and their national flags adorn the front cover (the Philippines is represented by the US national flag). A variety of competitions were held over several days across Osaka, including track and field, swimming, volleyball, tennis, and football.

(a) Acoustic Test Concerts Sunday 21st January 1973. The ABC National Training Orchestra performed the first concerts in the OH - featuring Donald Smith, Elizabeth Fretwell, conducted by Robert Miller; (b) The first performance in the Drama Theatre on October 1st 1973 - The Old Tote Theatre Company's King Richard the Second: (c) Wanda Wilkomirska, the first violin soloist, with Geoffrey Parsons, in the Concert Hall November 1st 1973: and (d) Musica Viva's Opening Season November 21st, 1973, in the Music Room. Sydney, 1973: Original wrappers. Fine.

W.H. Smith. Seoul. 1896. A short run of six consecutive issues of the pioneering nineteenth century Korean newspaper "The Independent" (Tongnip Sinmun), published bilingually in English and Korean from November 21st to December 3rd 1896. This newspaper was founded by the renowned Korean intellectual Soh Jaipil (Philip Jaisohn,1864-1951) and was the first in which Korean-language reports were printed solely in Hangul (Korean phonetic script), making them accessible to a relatively broad readership, including women (Soh was an advocate of political rights for women).

Yamada Shoin. Tokyo. Showa 33 (1958). This is a beautiful collection of woodblock prints featuring various scenes from the Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki. The Tale of Genji has been traditionally appreciated with beautiful illustrations and this collection was one of the more modern examples. Published in 1958 on a monthly subscription basis (receipt for the 7th envelope loosely inserted), each print is enhanced with expert interpretations in Japanese and English. A lovely collection of Genji related prints.

EILEEN MAYO (1906-1994) c. 1959 Colour Process Lithograph Original poster promoting the Great Barrier Reef as a tourist destination, showing three black striped cream fish with yellow fins swimming amongst two types of coral, one red the other cream brown. One fish is central and oversized. Includes a sea snail. 775mm x 605mm Held in the National Gallery of Australia.

Sydney, Dawn Office, [1905]. First edition: pp96, 2pp adverts. 8vo, cloth. 8vo, original cloth with sl. rubbed gilt lettering. A fine copy. Inscribed `from the authoress July 1915', and with a photograph of Louisa mounted on the verso of the titlepage. Also tipped in is the typescript of a poem `Farewell'. The only book of poems by the mother of Henry Lawson. From 1888 to 1905 she was editor and manager of the `Dawn', a literary journal for women. She published Henry Lawson's first book in 1894, and also short stories of her own.

A superb Sydney Harbour scene, sweeping from Elizabeth Bay House in the middle-ground around to the lower north shore, showcasing Martens’s remarkable talent at capturing the shimmering waters and the intense light of the city.

[Adelaide, The Author, 1943]. Octavo, original cream typographical wrappers. First edition of Hal Porter's first book. Self-published in an edition estimated at 200-250 copies but distributed indiscriminately by Porter. Signed and numbered by the author. Rare.

C1827 The first published map solely devoted to the Brisbane River, showing the results  of John Oxley’s exploration and surveys made in 1823. A finely engraved, large scale chart of the Brisbane .

C1928 Stunning Bangkok travel guide by Major Erik Seidenfaden and published by the Royal State Railways of Siam, 1928. Second edition. 8vo, pp iii, 324, xxxii, numerous photographic illustrations, some in colour, numerous maps including large folding coloured plan at rear, adverts. Richly gilt decorated publisher's green cloth.