Manuscripts, Correspondence & Ephemera – Agriculture; Irrigation; Military; Publishing

It is clear while perusing our latest catalogue that Idriess was a likeable character. He was also who and a prolific letter writer and a passionate researcher. His observations of Australia and its people was written in a way that the Australian Public could relate.

Our next catalogue is from the Ion Idriess estate. The items are unique and include a collection of letters, research notes and published and unpublished stories and drafts. They are on many interesting subjects from military to mining to agriculture to travel and adventure and more.

Along with the many enthusiastic fan letters, you will see letters from familiar publishing figures like Angus and Robertson’s editor Walter Cousins, War Correspondent John Hetherington, and The Observer’s owner William MacFarlin, Frank Hodge, editor of the New Zealand Herald.

There are also numerous letters from universities around the world including Princeton, Denver, Michigan, and Melbourne. Academic Bill Gamage wrote to Idriess about his military experience.

For his research Idriess would write to miners, explorers, military men, Including Explorer Herbert Basedow; Librarian of the State Library of South Australia, HC Brideson; Australian prime Minister of the time Joseph Lyons. There are also vast materials which Idriess used in his research from press clipping to notes.

There are numerous manuscripts and drafts amongst this selection of items showing how Idriess wrote and matured as a writer. There are also unpublished stories including themes around Gallipoli and the Anzacs, Gold Mining, Sandalwood, Shipwrecks and more.

12 noon, Sunday 15th June

This auction we have a good collection of philosophy, anthropology, art and literature.

PHILOSOPHY

We have a very good academic library of classic texts in philosophy, art, literature. Amongst them are a number Nobel Laureates and many other renown authors in their field and is peppered with first editions. The books are mostly hardcovers in dustwrappers and in good condition. The art historian may be excited about the first edition John Berger – Ways of Seeing (Lot 228) or Roland Barthes (Lot 229). The philologist might enjoy MH Abrams (Lot 230) or Albert Camus (Lot 285). The philosopher may like to flick through some Thomas Bernhard (Lot 291) or Jean Paul Satre (Lot 224).

TRAVEL AND ANTHROPOLOGY

We have some good and interesting lots on voyages and travels including: 1826 Sandwich Islands by Byron (Lot 17) and a large collection from the Voyages and Discoveries Israel Da Capo series (Lot 192). There is also Anthropology, ethnology, art and history from indigenous cultures from Australia, the Asia Pacific; to the Americas; Africa and Europe. (Lots 400-500)

PRINTS

There are beautiful books with plates with highlights including the Pat Corrigan Family Bookplates (Lot 16) with work by John Coburn, Peter Kingston, Lloyd Rees, Brett Whiteley and more. We can’t forget the Neville Barnett’s with stunning brightly colour Prints of Hiroshige (Lot 6) or JH Maiden’s Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales with colour prints (Lot 8).

AUSTRALIANA
We have good Australiana including a The Auld Shop by Henry Lawson (Lot 5) and 1896 Man from Snowy River by Banjo Paterson (Lot 9); Proeschel Atlas Australasia 1863 (Lot 2); 1862 History of NSW Flanagan (Lot 1)

When 12 noon Sunday 15th June
Catalogue https://connect.invaluable.com/sydneybook/
Timed Auction online bidding and absentee

Viewing is encouraged
Questions welcomed

Our office is located at Dalgety Square at –
C11/372-428 Wattle Street, Ultimo. We are on the corner of MacArthur with the entrance on Wattle Street. We are opened between 10am and 5pm week days.

Absentee bids are due by email 3pm Sydney Time Friday 13th June 2025.
Please get questions in before 3pm Sydney Time Friday 13th June 2025.