Author: MOUNTFORD, CHARLES P.
Title: Nomads Of The Australian Desert.
Description: First Edition; Demy 4to; pp. 628; frontispiece map, 737 b/w. illustrations, 12 full-page colour plates, one of which is large fold out plate, 33 figures, bibliography, epilogue, index; dustjacket, fine copy. Together with loosely inserted restriction notice which states "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." Adelaide; Rigby; 1976. First Edition of Mountford's 1940 Western Desert Expedition published in the last year of his life. There was much controversy over the contents of the book. The judge in Foster v. Mountford and Rigby Ltd., (1976) 14 A.L.R. 71. found that a number of photographs, drawings and descriptions of persons, places and ceremonies found in the book had 'deep religious and cultural significance' to the plaintiffs. A significant portion of the edition was then suppressed and withdrawn from sale. Secondhand copies have become increasingly scarce.

Keywords: Australian aboriginal customs history