Troubled Asylum sold $285

Today a Launceston second hand book shop, “Just Tassie Books” advertised a copy of Ralph W Gowlland’s “Troubled Asylum” on their facebook page. This first edition copy, in good condition without the Author’s signature sold in a matter of hours for $285. The book is considered scarce, but not rare and is demanding a good return on it’s original $25 investment. The second edition copy, when printed was not selling and it was reported that a number of copies were simply given away. The second edition copy now sells for $150 plus and like the first edition is considered a necessary item for the Willow Court enthusiast and for the researcher or academic, an absolute must have item.

Other suggested reading is Dr Gavin M Crabbe’s, “History of Lachlan Park Hospital” (rare) and Lawrence Edward Cullen’s  “Royal Derwent Hospital – past to present 1936 – 1978” is a great personal perspective, through the eyes of an employee who had seen many changes in the physical appearance of the hospital and the medical advancements in those years.

Other minor publications have connections with the Hospital in some way. Rachel Greene’s self published (out of print) book , “Through the Window” talks about her time living at the Willow Court Training Centre and her deinstitutionalisation into the Community during the 1980’s, while Marion Geyssel gives a pictorial essay in her book, “Royal Derwent Hospital – willow court”. She photographs the vandalised buildings and their remaining contents. Her now, out of print book has very few words and she mainly relies on the pictures to tell the story.

“The Background to the History of Nursing in Tasmania”, by Beatrix Kelly also contains some elements of the hospital’s history of “Mental Nursing”.  “The Story of Keith Carter” by Jill McElwee, “Postcards from the Asylum” by Karen Knight an ex patient and “From darkness to light: a true story” of Carleen Paul a patient at Royal Derwent Hospital are all worth reading but scarce or rare to find. Listen to Carla Paul on our audio tab.

All of these books are not in print and can only be found in the State Library, TasTAFE Library or on the market through secondhand dealers who tend to deal in rare and scarce Tasmanian publications.