Hesperian Press

Red Fred

by Fred Newman and Les Newman

ISBN 978-0-85905-774-5, (New, 2019), A4, 166 pages, illustrated, 460  grams, $45.00* 

This biography of Fred whose earlier book, The Golden Era of Animal Health, we published in 2014, covers an interesting  life close to the land, and covers WA from  South to North. The title alludes to his early political interests.

This book is not just about Fred, it is an attempt to preserve the identity and character of the bush, principally the Wheat Belt before the changes wipe out the past. The farms are increasing in size each year and the characters that one used to find are no longer there. You may find them, as Les did, in the station country or the mining camps, but the shutting down of stations to preserve the ecosystem and the proliferation of fly in fly out work systems are diminishing that source.  Future writers may have to look in the cities, and the unique flavour of the bush will have gone for good.

Read this to remind you of that vanishing scene and to get a few chuckles as you read.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS’ DIARIES PROJECT INC.

Samuel Grau Hubbe and the South Australia to Western Australia Stock Route Expedition 1895-1896.

SG Hubbe. Edited by Andrew Guy Peake.

ISBN 978-0-85905-680-9, (New, 2018), casebound, section sewn, illustrated, maps, indexed, 296 pages, .855 kg

$95.00* + POST

Contains the official and private journals of Hubbe and John Mahar. Biographical notes on the men of the expedition.

This is a very small run which will ensure future scarcity.

Spinifex and Hessian

Women in North-West Australia

1860-1900

Susan Hunt

ISBN 978-0-85905-714-1, (R1986, 2018), 160x240mm, 178 pp, illustrated, indexed, 310 grams

$35.00 + POST

Pioneers, prostitutes, pub keepers, Aboriginals, all the women who are part of the history of the North. An important, and until now, rare book that is essential for all interested in WA history.

The Crawford Legacy

by John Crawford

ISBN 978-0-85905-757-8, (New, 2019), A4, 101 pages, illustrated, 530 grams, $30.00*

The discovery of gold at Crawford's Patch, Laverton, in the 1890s was another expansion of the fortunes of the Crawford farming family in South and Western Australia. Their success and social commitment resulted in the foundation of the Crawford Lodge facilities for those suffering from cancer.

The International Chook Book

by Annette Ryan

ISBN 978-0-85905-655-7, (New, 2020), A5, 36 pages, colour illustrations, 95 grams, $20.00*

Chooks by any other name… also describes the foibles of their lofty admirers. Annette’s catchy verse is a pleasure to read and smile about. Air hostess, laboratory worker, pharmacy assistant, doctor’s wife, and widow, with award winning poetry and university studies, published poet, and an audience of chooks are some of her accomplishments.

The Murchison Revisited

by FCB Vosper. Edited by Peter J. Bridge and Gail Dreezens

ISBN 978-0-85905-746-2, (R 2019), A4, 78 pages, indexed, 210 grams,

$35.00*

The mining journalist and politician wrote of the changes to the Murchison and its mines in 1895, several years after his first experiences there. Interesting comment on the people, mines and institutions of the wider Murchison goldfield.

The Outback Trip

by Anon

ISBN 978-0-85905-775-2, (1902 R 2019), A5, 7pp, 20grams, $5.00* + POST

“The Curse of Bewick Moreing dark upon the mulga hangs…”

The State and position of Western Australia commonly called The Swan River Settlement

by Captain Frederick Chidley Irwin. With an extensive biographical introduction by Peter Conole.  

ISBN 978-0-85905-780-6, (New, 2019), 240 x 160, French flaps, 168 pages, 300 grams, $40.00*

Hesperian Press takes particular pride in resurrecting this remarkable work from undeserved and disgraceful obscurity. Frederick Irwin’s book, the first large scale study of Western Australia, was published in London in 1835. Our facsimile of that now very rare book is greatly enhanced by inclusion of a 19-page biographical sketch of its author by Peter Conole. This study of an important colonial figure includes material which has eluded the attention of historians and will both dispel various inaccuracies and clarify his career and importance to WA. Irwin’s ‘State and Position’ is very well written and both frank and forthright in tackling controversial issues. In the course of nine chapters and an appendix Irwin provided brilliant word paintings of living and working conditions for settlers. He was always forthright in offering opinions, such as his hatred of convict systems. He also had a fine eye for detail in discussing a range of civic affairs and the future prospects of the colony.       

Through the Murchisons

The Peak Hill, Murchison, and Yalgoo Fields in 1904

Daisy Bates

ISBN 978-0-85905-720-2, (New, 2018), A4, 19pp, illustrated, 70 grams

$15.00* + POST

Daisy Bates was an intrepid reporter who was well used to tough travelling. She examined many of the Murchison mines in their fledgling days.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS’ DIARIES PROJECT INC.

To the Golden Land. Exploration to the Eastwards 1869-1896

by Peter J. Bridge and associates. With an Introduction by J.M.R Cameron.

ISBN 978-0-85905-704-2, (New, 2019), 160 x 240mm, 712 pp, colour and black and white illustrations, maps, indexed, hard cover, 2kg+, $140.00* + POST

An important contribution to the history of WA covering all that periods 65 expeditions, including many that were previously unknown. Includes for the first time all the colour plates of Forrest in the 1870s. More than 150 illustrations and maps.

Like our other Exploration Diaries this will become the basic reference in this field. Due to the poisoned arrows of our economy the edition is small, so please do not delay ordering. 

To Wallal … and Back. The story of a Mullewa Drover.

by Joan Ridley.

ISBN 978-0-85905-772-1, (1999, R 2019), A4, illustrated, indexed, 42 pages, 130 grams, $22.00*

Ned Ridley was well known WA drover. This trip during WWII was blighted by disaster for the sheep, but is a good record of a traditional droving trip.

Triangle

W.C. Charnley

ISBN 978-0-85905-729-5, A4, 100 grams

$16.00* + POST

A murder triangle at Day Dawn in 1908 with a wanton Delilah at the point.

Wilgie Mia

Cave of Red Ochre and Raddled Ranters

By Peter J. Bridge.

ISBN 978-0-85905-702-8, (New, 2018), A4, illustrated, indexed, 100+ pages, ** grams

$30.00* + POST

A history of the discovery of the cave, early mining, and the industry that grew around it. Also an examination of the Wadgela myths of the sacred cave, which are less believable than those of the Aboriginal dreamtime. Wishful thinking guides government policy resulting in closure and restriction as the home for a red elephant.

William Benstead. Pioneer of Alice Springs and Coolgardie

by William Benstead with Peter J. Bridge and Ian Murray. 

ISBN 978-0-85905-764-6, (New, 2019), A4, illustrated, indexed, 69 pages, 200 grams, $25.00*

Bill Benstead, Cattleman, hotelier, explorer, butcher. Anna’s Reservoir & Coolgardie. His cattle interests were in Africa, Madagascar, Argentina, working for Vestys. His daughter Lulu was a very well known singer on the London stage.