Rare First Edition Books & Maps, Coins, Banknotes & Collectables

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AUSTRALIA: Purchases within Australia will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $8.00 and will be sent by Registered Post. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.

INTERNATIONAL: Overseas purchases will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $35.00 and will be sent by Registered Post International. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.(Bulk lots may incur an additional charge)

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Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale No. 43.

This month our Auction features a fine selection of ‘First Edition’ Explorer books and maps mostly published in French. The French alongside the British were the major explorers throughout the 19^th Century particularly in the Pacific region, and most of these works concern the close observations of the natives of New Caledonia, the New Hebrides and mainland Australia. It could be worth doing a ‘Pete Buttigieg’ and learning French so that you can read them in the original language as so often the nuances of language are lost in translation - or else rely on ‘Google Translate’ for its pidgin interpretation.

The maps starting with Sebastian Munster's 1628 Coloured Wood-cut print of the mythical land of Taprobana (which he identified as the Island of Sumatra) show how each explorer added to the work of his predecessors joining up the dots of discovery. 

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words and this is particularly true of the small selection of early postcards and photographs from the Pacific region along with a jute covered album of 194 postcards from early 19^th Century India and Ceylon. They capture the very basic circumstances endured by people in these countries in the very early 19^th Century.

Post-World War I the British Navy no longer ruled the waves but, to demonstrate that it was still a force to be reckoned with, a flag-waving tour of the World was organised to showcase the firepower of the ships "Hood," "Repulse," "Delhi," "Danae," "Dragon,"  and "Dauntlas," and the Australian frigate the H.M.A.S. "Adelaide." A souvenir album of 389 photos spanning the journey was issued in limited numbers and in the one on offer in our sale was presented "with the compliments of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia."

The brutal purpose of the Nazi Concentration Camps of World War II is general knowledge to all, but what is far less known is that other nations such as Australia also interned people of so-called ‘suspect’ allegiances, albeit with not such murderous intent. During times of war, nations often turn on pockets of their own citizenry usually pointing the finger of suspicion at ‘recent arrivals’ who have proudly kept parts of their past culture and so are still identifiable as the ‘enemy.’ This month we offer a rare ‘Hay Internment Camps’ Sixpence banknote and a full collection of Internment Camps coins, relics of the currency used by the prison inmates. The Hay Camp was renowned as a prison camp for German and Austrian Jews who fled Nazi Germany for safe harbour in England only to be rounded up and shipped to Australia, their only crime being that their identification papers were German and Austrian passports.

As usual there is a strong selection of Australian and World coins and banknotes with particular mention made of the spectacular Australian 1921 Florin PCGS MS64 which is as fresh as the day it was struck, and the very rare Canadian 1911-12 Specimen coin set of museum quality.

There is also a boutique selection of fine jewellery including a 1920s Vintage 15ct Gold Snake Bangle with a 'Solitaire Carat' Diamond set into the head and a vast array of other collectables.

We wish you well with your bidding.

Smalls Auctions.

Buyer's Premium
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Conditions of Sale

VAT and taxes: For new customers photo identification matching a scan of their card details is required

Shipping Terms: AUSTRALIA: Purchases within Australia will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $8.00 and will be sent by Registered Post. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.

INTERNATIONAL: Overseas purchases will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $35.00 and will be sent by Registered Post International. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.(Bulk lots may incur an additional charge)

Both Australian and International packages are traceable in transit and require a signature on delivery.

Buyers Premium: All purchases are subject to a 18.5 % Buyer's Premium on the hammer price.

Tax Details: Taxes, Duties and Customs Charges that apply in the country of delivery are the express responsibility of the buyer. Please notify us if you require a specific description on the outside of the package for customs purposes.