A Geologist Strikes Out 1954-1994 Recollections
Australian History Memoir Antiquarian & Collectible Aviation History Earth Sciences Exploration Outback Adventure STEM Adventure
Reg Sprigg’s 1993 first-edition memoir, A Geologist Strikes Out 1954-1994 Recollections, is one of the most sought-after Australian exploration titles on the antiquarian market. Told in Sprigg’s witty, self-deprecating voice, the book traces four decades of bush-plane prospecting, fossil-hunting in the Flinders Ranges, and the birth of Australia’s modern petroleum industry. Buyers prize this vintage hardcover for its 359 illustrated pages of firsthand geological history—maps, field sketches, and period photographs that rarely survive in such clean, collectible condition.
What makes this copy special is its combination of scarcity and preservation: a true first edition, printed in Adelaide the year before Sprigg’s death, with no ex-library markings, inscriptions, or sun-faded plates. The boards are square, the gutters tight, and every map plate is present—details that matter to Flinders Ranges enthusiasts, aviation historians, and geology graduates who still cite Sprigg’s Cambrian discoveries. Because the print run was small and most copies went to outback stations and university labs, nice copies seldom surface in the collectibles market.
Collectors searching “Reg Sprigg signed first edition,” “Australian geologist autobiography,” or “Flinders Range exploration book” consistently land on this title, driving strong resale demand. For readers, it’s an engaging blend of technical insight and bush humour—perfect for young adults curious about STEM adventure or adults nostalgic for the golden age of aerial surveying. Owning this very-good copy means holding a piece of South Australian scientific heritage that doubles as a top-tier antiquarian investment.
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