Aboriginal Australia from Rare Illustrated Books

Sydney: Ure Smith, 1951. First Edition. Catalogue for the exhibition organised by Lawrence Thomas. Perhaps most interesting for its mixture of indigenous and non-indigenous artists. Small octavo, decorated wrappers, catalogue with plates in colour and black & white, near fine.

Adelaide: F. W. Preece and Sons, 1930. First Edition. Nora Heysen. First Edition. Illustrated by Nora Heysen. A collection of twenty-six Aboriginal legends, taken mainly from New South Wales and Queensland. Small quarto, generously illustrated by Nora Heysen throughout with full-page plates and bushland vignettes; original quarter cloth over decorated papered boards, paper spine label, 98 pages; an exceptionally… Read more about this item

Adelaide: G. Hassell & Son, 1918. Marion Hart. 'In the "Dark Backward" were made the Blackfellows' Fairy Tales...' A tale about a spirited young man called Wur-Run-Nah who leaves his Tauri and goes Walk-About, attempting to climb the Sacred Mountain. Bound in original pictorial wrappers, 33pp, a near fine copy. Illustrated by Marion Hart. Compiled by Catherine Stow from… Read more about this item

Melbourne: Melville & Mullen Pty. Ltd, 1919. First Edition. Story of two children who spend the day fishing on the lagoon. Small quarto, bound in the original illustrated boards, 14 pages, full pages colour illustrations, early gift inscription and bookplate, a very good copy.

Melbourne and Sydney: WHITCOMBE & TOMBES, 1938. First Edition. Near fine. Author's presentation copy: 'To Mr. and Mrs H. Pearce with compliments from J.A Fletcher. 21/6/39'. With the book plate of Harold Pearce. Whitcombe's Story Books No. 448. Includes an index to the vocabulary of Aboriginal words in the story. Oblong octavo, coloured pictorial staple-bound paper boards, 7… Read more about this item

London: Published by 'Harkaway House', 1893. First Edition. Rare, notable early Australian book with plates depicting First Australians and convict life. Small quarto in heavily worn original illustrated wrappers, colour frontispiece and other plates in black & white, internally in good order.