1889 - 1979
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I’ve recently come across a collection of 11 first edition, hard cover books — all national editions written by Ion L. Idriess and published by Angus & Robertson Ltd in 1941. Each one is signed by Idriess himself.
The titles are:
The Cattle King
Forty Fathoms Deep
The Yellow Joss
Over the Range
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I have a 1952 edition of Across the Nullabor, 1952 is the only date in it saying First Published 1952, but I can find no reference to an edition from 1952. Cann someone help, is this a misprint? Thanks
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Our next Idriess Archive catalogue is live!
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 The items are unique and include a collection of letters, research notes and published and unpublished stories and drafts.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,…
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Sydney Rare Book Auctions sold a message stick from the Kimberley that was given to Ion Idriess in about 1930.
I have no idea whether the object has ended up in a public institution or a private collection.
Here it is: https://amsd.clld.org/contributions/IDRIESS1930#4/-16.62/125.74
In the same Lot there were a number of headbands for sale, traditionally worn by messengers and apparently made by Tracker Bull. A message stick from Tracker Bull is referred to in this lot but not photographed or listed for sale: https://amsd.clld.org/contributions/amsd_01121
Does anyone know who collected these items?
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THIS BOOK IS GOLD - GET IT!
Compiled and designed by Tom Thompson and with an Introduction by the late, great Tim Bowden (alas, he passed away in September last year), this little book (85 pages) features many new photographs (most of them coloured or tinted) of Horrie, including of him back in Australia - with a classic one of Ion Idriess shaking Horrie's paw (p.54 - book probably worth it for this photo alone - love it!) and another page (p.79) of his paw prints. It also includes articles, letters, official correspondence about Horrie, illustrations and the public's reaction to Horrie's demise - as well as a previously unpublished Preface by Ion Idriess (p.78). But wait - there is also a surprise ending (p.82)!
For anyone who loved Horrie the Wog Dog and the exploits of Private Jim Moody and his Signals Platoon of the 6th Division, AIF -…
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This is a new book compiled by Tom Thompson (the TT of ETT!) from Ion Idriess Walkabout Magazine articles (hence the title, I presume - but also pointing to the peripatetic life of Idriess himself) of the 1930's - as well as three Sydney Morning Herald articles and one previously unpublished story - of the same era.
This book is a valuable source of out of publication material (and even a previously unpublished story) from Ion Idriess. I have in my collection a couple of the original Walkabout Magazine articles reproduced here, but by no means all of them, and not the SMH articles. Mr Thompson is making available useful and important material for Idriess buffs - and others - and is to be commended for this. Note should be made that ETT Imprints has, according to the list in the back of Walkabout, some 35 Idriess books in print…
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This upcoming auction of materials from the estate of Ion Idriess includes a wide range of materials, ranging from original manuscript books to letters and ephemera. It represents a unique opportunity for collectors of Ion Idriess – and Australian literature more generally – to acquire original manuscript and archival materials by (and related to) this iconic Australian author.
Some highlights include letters relating to gold mining leases at Ophir, with discussion of ancient megafauna bones (lot number 58). Letters to and from miners across Australia feature prominently in this outstanding auction.
Also upcoming in this auction is an uncorrected proof copy of Idriess’ book on fighting in New Guinea titled Trapping the Jap, from the Second World War Guerilla series. See lot number 67.
Of special interest is correspondence to Idriess from other veterans of Gallipoli and the Middle Eastern campaigns during the First World War. Following the success of…
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12 noon Sunday 17th November
This upcoming auction of materials from the estate of Ion Idriess includes a wide range of materials, ranging from original manuscript books to letters and ephemera. It represents a unique opportunity for collectors of Ion Idriess – and Australian literature more generally – to acquire original manuscript and archival materials by (and related to) this iconic Australian author.
Some highlights include letters relating to gold mining leases at Ophir, with discussion of ancient megafauna bones (Lot 58). Letters to and from miners across Australia feature prominently in this outstanding auction.
Also upcoming in this auction is an uncorrected proof copy of Idriess’ book on fighting in New Guinea titled Trapping the Jap, from the Second World War Guerilla series (Lot 67).
Of special interest is correspondence to Idriess from other veterans of Gallipoli and the Middle Eastern campaigns during the First World War. Following the…
Another lot of lots from Paul Feain from the Idriess estate, with something for all Idriess aficionados- items ranging from $30 to $4400 (Reserve prices). I'd probably like to be able to afford more than the $30 lots!
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I recently obtained a couple of letters from Walter Murdoch to Idriess from a SRB Auction, which I will reproduce here. Not everyone would be familiar with Murdoch, so here are some details: Professor Sir Walter Murdoch, 1874 to 1970, was born in Scotland. He became an English lecturer at the University of Melbourne (from which he had graduated) and then the inaugural Professor of English at the newly founded University of Western Australia in 1912. But he also found time to write essays and articles for various publications and newspapers, such as the Argus in Melbourne (where he had been a journalist) and The West Australian. He was the great uncle of media tycoon, Rupert Murdoch. He was much admired and lauded, not only in academia, but by the general public. Murdoch University in Perth (established 1974 - one hundred years after Murdoch's birth) - and my alma mater…
Thank you, Joe, this is an interesting set. For more information about this National Edition, see the Bibliography on this site - then click on Other Idriess Works. You will note there that this 1941 edition is the second publication of the National Edition, the first being in 1939. You will also see that your set is incomplete - the 12th Volume, Madman's Island, is missing. The value - probably a rather dated valuation now - is put at between $400 and $600 for a complete 1941 set - in Very Good condition. It is hard to tell from a couple of photos, but they seem okay.
Now let me get down to specifics. While the lack of a complete set may lessen the value, I don't think it would be that much - $50 to $100 at the most. Against this is that the valuation, especially if the set is in good to very good condition, should in my opinion, be more than $400 to $600 - perhaps a minimum of $500. These were the war years and I think it is significant that valuable paper was allowed for such a large volume printing. Add to that is that they are all signed by Idriess. He was a prolific signer, but here, if the two inscriptions are any indication, there is variety in the signing and indeed one at least is dated (1944). Now I don't think an Idriess signature doubles the value of a book of his, but I would think it adds 20% to 50% value.
But for me the most significant thing about these books is the provenance - who they were owned by; and to whom Idriess addresses his inscriptions - and it is to one Mervyn Finlay. A quick Google search reveals that there is a Mervyn Finlay, solicitor, in Sydney in the 1940's and his son, also Mervyn Finlay (Mervyn David Finlay). This is a sufficiently unusual name that it is more than probable that this set belonged to one, if not both, of these Finlay's. And with the son - Jackpot! Mervyn Finlay, Junior - RAAF pilot, Olympian, QC, Judge. In other words, a person of significance and standing. And for me as a collector, that would increase the value of the set, although not all collectors would have that mindset.
Personally I do not have any National Edition books in my collection - I have concentrated on the very first editions and refrained from later editions, including the National Edition - but a set like this, signed by Idriess and probably owned by the late Mervyn Finlay, QC - would be a good reason for me to purchase a National Edition. So I would think this set, even lacking Vol 12, would be $500 to $800 - or even up to $1000 for the right buyer.
I hope this is helpful, Joe.
Craig Siggins