Flinders Chase

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Place of Enchantment for Nature-lovers

by Mervinia Masterman

Georgian House, c1950, [First Edition], colour illustrated plates, monotone illustrative decorations throughout, illustrated endpapers (maps), illustrated boards, hardcover, dustjacket

Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing, bumping and marking to covers, edges and corners, age toning to introductory pages, no inscriptions, dustjacket shows some edge and shelf wear with rubbing, bumping, creasing, tears and chips to covers, edges, corners and spine (see photographs)

“The enchantment referred to on the title page of this book is very evident in its writing.  Mrs. Masterman has an enthusiasm for her subject and a knowledge of flowers, birds and animals which has enabled her to convey to the reader a great deal of the enchantment she and her family have found during their periodical sojourns at Flinders Chase.  This little volume may easily become an Australian natural history classic, for in the tiny world of Flinders Chase can be found many of the animals, birds and flowers common to other parts of the Australian continent.
The coloured plates of wildflowers, including many orchids, reveal the author as an accomplished artist, and the little thumb-nail sketches scattered throughout the book illuminate the narrative.  The book will be of the greatest interest to visitors to Kangaroo Island, to anyone interested in Australian flora and fauna, and to apiarists, as the author’s interest in bees results in much information regarding the work of the Government Apiary in Flinders Chase.”