Nomads of the Australian Desert
Adelaide, Rigby, 1976.
Quarto, 628 pages with a frontispiece map, 33 numbered line illustrations and 737 numbered 'plates' (many from photographs) plus 12 colour plates and a very large folding colour plate (with an integral black and white key).
Papered boards; front top corner lightly bumped; top and bottom edges slightly marked; two items mounted on the front free endpaper (see below); an excellent copy with the very good dustwrapper (lightly scored, with a short scrape along the front leading edge).
A seminal study of the Pitjandjara [sic] of the Mann Ranges and the Junkandjara [sic] of the Musgrave Ranges, on the borders of South, Central and Western Australia (Mountford explains his use of these names on page 40). The following caveat is printed on the verso of the dedication page: 'Where Australian Aborigines are concerned, and in areas where traditional Aboriginal religion is still significant, this book should be used only after consultation with local male religious leaders. This restriction is important. It is imposed because the concept of what is secret, or may not be revealed to the uninitiated in Aboriginal religious belief and action, varies considerably throughout the Australian continent; and because the varying views of Aborigines in this respect must on all occasions be observed'. Provenance: Dick Kimber (Richard Glyn Kimber AM, 1939-2024), author and historian, with his ownership signature on the front free endpaper. He was awarded an Order of Australia in 2001 for 'services to the community through research projects and the recording of information of national interest in the areas of history, anthropology, Aboriginal art, ecology and land management practices in Central Australia'. Taped to this page is the original slip of mustard-colour paper (100 × 203 mm) with the text of the disclaimer printed on it; the clear tape is now discoloured, staining a little both the slip and the endpaper. The small three-colour label of 'Marron's Newsagency, Alice Springs N.T.' is mounted at the foot of the page; the original retail price of $35 is pencilled in the top corner.
Item #145410
Price (AUD):
$750.00