Nomads of the Australian Desert by MOUNTFORD, Charles P - 1976

Adelaide: Rigby, 1976. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. Adelaide, Rigby, 1976. Quarto, 628 pages with a frontispiece map, 33 numbered line illustrations and 737 numbered 'plates' (many from photographs) plus 12 colour plates and a very large folding colour plate (with an integral black and white key). Papered boards; bottom edge lightly shelf-marked; free endpapers a little tape-stained (very lightly offset onto the first and last pages); an excellent copy with the very good dustwrapper lightly creased and bumped along the top edge of the spine and rear cover, with two tiny closed tears. A seminal study of the Pitjandjara [sic] of the Mann Ranges and the Junkandjara [sic] of the Musgrave Ranges, on the borders of South, Central and Western Australia (Mountford explains his use of these names on page 40). The following caveat is printed on the verso of the dedication page: 'Where Australian Aborigines are concerned, and in areas where traditional Aboriginal religion is still significant, this book should be used only after consultation with local male religious leaders. This restriction is important. It is imposed because the concept of what is secret, or may not be revealed to the uninitiated in Aboriginal religious belief and action, varies considerably throughout the Australian continent; and because the varying views of Aborigines in this respect must on all occasions be observed'.