Hidden Wealth and Hiding People

First edition, first printing. Undated [but 1930 or 1931, depending on source consulted]. xvi, 350pp, monochrome plate frontispiece and 62 further plate illustrations, three folding maps and one folding chart. In light brown cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering on the spine. 8vo. Cloth a little worn and marked, gently rubbed and rounded at corners and spine ends. Text block edges a little toned. Previous owner’s name inked on front free endpaper else internally neat, clean, bright and tight barring one corner crease. Michael Terry (1899-1981) was an explorer of Central Australia, latterly associated with British counter-intelligence. This is his account of his third expedition in 1928 – a seventh month journey starting in Port Hedland and travelling through Broome, Halls Creek, Tanami, the Granites and Alice Springs and then on the Adelaide and Melbourne – the first motorised crossing of the heart of Australia, recording his encounters and views on Aborigines and experiences of circumcision, marriage groupings, punishments for law-breaking, burning grass for hunting, hostilities etc. Sought after and scarce.