Normally, at this time of the year, we would be issuing our Picture Book to patrons at the Melbourne Rare Book Fair. But ‘the time is out of joint’, and this online catalogue, as agreeable as any we have issued, is no substitute for all that we are missing. On reflection, though, members of the antiquarian book trade must count themselves among the most fortunate of all small businesses these days.

Highlights of our current list include a copy of The Magic Pudding, inscribed and signed by Norman Lindsay, with an original pencil drawing of Bunyip Bluegum; an annotated copy of John McDouall Stuart's Explorations in Australia (1864) from the personal collection of Stephen King Jr, unofficial artist of Stuart's epic sixth expedition; numerous items relating to early Australian aviation and aerial photography; an autograph letter signed by T.E. Lawrence; Isaac Newton's Universal Arithmetick (1728, second edition); and sections on Australian inland exploration, natural history, town planning and private press books.

Happy browsing!

We trust our latest catalogue finds you in good health; either way, we hope it improves your day. Our selections of rare 1930s Australian political ephemera and vintage trade catalogues are a reminder of what we have lost (and gained).

Photographs on offer include some 1861 Mayall portraits of British Royalty, a suite of late nineteenth century portraits of SA’s governors and administrators, and an album featuring Stawell and the Grampians of the 1930s.

For the rest, there’s early Australian exploration, numerous Escutcheon Press titles, cricket, literature … over to you now!

It may be that a catalogue from an antiquarian bookseller is the last thing you are looking for at the present time. But this is what we do, and old habits die hard. Hopefully you will find something in our latest offering to lift the spirits or engage the mind.

Highlights include a signed original print of Max Dupain's iconic photograph 'Sunbaker', and early issues of Verve complete with the sumptuous colour lithographs by the likes of Klee, Miró, Kandinsky, Chagall and Matisse.

Happy browsing, and stay healthy!

We are pleased to offer the catalogue for the first part of the Paul Lucas Collection of Australian Military History for sale by auction, with nearly 300 lots covering primarily the Boer War and the First World War.

Although unit histories and memorial volumes are well-represented, the strength of the collection, more than forty years in the making, is its rich veins of rare ephemeral printings (including troopship journals printed at sea or in the field, recruitment posters, programmes, signed menus), unusual badges and artefacts, and unique diaries, letters, photographs and commemorative testimonials.

The second main sale, to be conducted later in the year, will focus predominantly on the Second World War. Between these main sales, a series of timed auctions of further material from the collection will take place.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

You can leave bids online now, bid live online on auction day, or leave absentee bids (you can download the absentee bidding form here).

Click on each lot in the catalogue to see a full description and additional images.

Buyer's premium: 20%
Online bidding fee: 3% (waived for absentee and telephone bids)
Currency: Australian Dollars

All items are available for viewing at our North Terrace premises. However, for the majority of you who are not Adelaideans and for whom personal inspection is not an option, all items are accurately described and photographed, and are covered by our conditional guarantee.

If you already have an account on our retail website (treloars.com), you may need to create a separate account on our auction site (auctions.treloars.com).

Please ensure you have read the Conditions of Sale before bidding