Products | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Antarctic Journey – Three Artists in Antarctica

Published by the Australian Government in 1988.

Card covered square format, 50 pages, numerous illustrations of the artwork of the chosen three – John Caldwell, Bea Maddock and Jan Senbergs.

Interesting accompanying narrative regarding Antarctic art in general and its history and then in-depth personal narratives of the very different but equally talented artists.

Art in the Antarctic … almost a tongue twister

$30.00

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The Crevasse – A Critical Response to “Flaws in the Ice” – [In defence of Douglas Mawson] – Karyn Bradford – signed by the Author.

Published by the Polar experts Erskine Press – soft cover 2015. Larger octavo format, 96 pages, wrapped cover, excellent condition. Signed by the author on title.

David Day in his book Flaws in the Ice went about destroying Mawson’s legendary reputation partly supported by Madigan’s Diaries, just recently published. Day went much deeper and tested responsibility for the deaths of Ninnis and Mertz.

Karyn Bradford, herself a distinguished Polar author had had enough and armed with a meaningful analysis puts a strong case in favour of Mawson – enough to cool his many admirers anyway.

Mawson put back on the top shelf by Bradford!

$40.00

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Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Half length figure of Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757), facing with baton raised in the left hand, right hand outstretched. Inscribed around the edge “THE BRITISH GLORY REVIVE-D BY ADMIRAL VERNON”.

Reverse a view of the Port; six ships [of Vernon’s fleet” and two Spanish gun-boats. Inscribed below “BY COURAGE AND CONDUCT” and around the edge “HE TOOK PORTO BELLO WITH SIX SHIPS ONLY”.

Very good condition, 37mm weighing 19gm.

For those impressed but also confused by the elaborate artwork and extensive description … there is a whole world out there of collectors of Admiral Vernon medals, and the detailed description matters to identify the precise medal, there were quite a few types. He was pretty much admired for his success at capturing Porto Bello in November 1739 and he possibly became the most medal(ised) person in history.

The event was an early conflict in what became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. In 1738 Captain Robert Jenkins appeared before the House of Commons with his amputated ear which had been severed by the Spanish in the West Indies. This added to other stories of bad behaviour by the Spanish led to war. Veron, then Vice Admiral was in charge of the Jamaica Station. Vernon preferred small well armed fleets and his attack with only six vessels was seemed foolhardy by others … he succeeded and had a mountain named after him and the most fashionable street in London was named after the battle.

Vernon takes Porto Bello and gets one back for Jenkins’ Ear …

$180.00

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Important Voyage Account – The Voyage of the Duff to the South Sea Islands – Captain James Wilson – First edition 1799

Full title … A Missionary Voyage to the Southern Pacific Ocean Performed in the Years 1796, 1797, 1798, in the Ship Duff, Commanded by Captain James Wilson. Compiled from Journals of the Officers and the Missionaries; and Illustrated with Maps, Charts and Views drawn by Mr William Wilson, and engraved by the most eminent Artists. With a Preliminary Discourse on the Geography and History of the South Sea Islands; and an Appendix, including details never before published, of the Natural and Civil State of Otaheite.

Several neat manuscript corrections to names, places and dates in such a manner that the book, at one time, must have been in the hands of someone intimately involved in the adventures, if not a member of the exploring group. Add’s a touch of class and intrigue.

Printed by Gosnell for Publisher T. Chapman, Fleet Street, London 1799. Large quarto, the wide margin version. 420 pages after preliminaries and before substantial and distinguished subscribers list. With seven folded engraved maps and six beautifully engraved plates. Rebound at some time in half crimson morocco over matching red cloth covered boards, headband, top edge freshly gilt; a very professional job. Overall a very good solid copy..

An early voyage to the Pacific, undertaken for the purpose of establishing a mission in Tahiti. A settlement of was formed with twenty five members. Though the King befriended them, they met with continual difficulties due to continuous civil wars and were finally forced to flee to Australia. Though some returning some time much later in 1815. The work contains many valuable details regarding Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, Tonga, the Marquesas, etc. The discovery of a new group of islands, named the Duff Group among the Santa Cruz Islands. The narrative is full and readable with considerable valuable observation – not at all in the often dry “missionary” style. Stands, in our view, as a key read in the early Pacific Voyages genre.

The large folding “Chart of the Duff’s Track in the Pacific Ocean” was the first map to use the name Australia than New Holland.

Other important maps comprise – Feejee Islands; Marquesas Islands; Duff’s Group; Gambier Islands; Island of Otaheite and Island of Tongataboo.

Views comprise … Harbour of Rio Janeiro; Missionary Settlement at Matavai; View of Tallo Harbour; Great Morai of Oberca; Morai and Ark of the Eatooa at Attahooroo and Fiatookas of Futtasaihe.

One of classic late 18thC voyage accounts of significant exploration interest – a very good copy..

$890.00

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Trans-Himalaya: Discoveries and Adventures in Tibet – Two Volumes – Sven Hedin – First Editions -1909

Published by MacMillan and Co, London first editions 1909. A third volume was added a few years later ….

Thick royal octavo volumes 436 pages and 441 pages with 388 illustrations from photographs and sketches by the author, some in colour. Seven maps at end of Vol I and 3 colour fold out maps at end of Vol II. Original burgundy cloth covered boards with gilt decoration to front cover still quite bright. A little rubbed on the joints and a couple of old marks to the boards. Some age generally, still an excellent set of this valuable account.

Swedish explorer Sven Hedin (1865-1952), despite efforts to stop him, made his way “undercover” into Tibet and explored the southern and western regions. He claimed the discovery of major mountain systems and the sources of major rivers (Brahmaputra, Indus and Subtle) flowing east. He explored extensively around Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash and spent time in Shigatse where he interacted with Panchen Lama. A special Asian collectable.

Classic Travel account Sven Hedin in Tibet

$390.00

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The Faerie Queene – Edmund Spenser – Full Calf 1860′s Copy

Spenser’s Faerie Queene disposed in twelve bookes fashioning XII moral virtues to which is added his Epithalamion a new edition, with a glossary; illustrated by Edward Corbould.

Published by George Routledge & Sons, no date but 1860’s. Octavo, 820 pages.

A beautiful book bound in full polished rich green calf with six compartments to the spine with bright gilt devices and red leather title label lavish marbled endpaper continuing to page edges, gilt lines to boards … a few marks but still a superb copy.

Spenser one of the greatest English poets; and here his longest work originally written in 1590. Allegorical, with references to Queen Elizabeth I. the illustrator Edward Corbould (1815-1905) was active in the Victorian era.

Deliciously bound Faerie Queene

$140.00

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All products

Antarctic Journey – Three Artists in Antarctica

The Crevasse – A Critical Response to “Flaws in the Ice” – [In defence of Douglas Mawson] – Karyn Bradford – signed by the Author.

Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Important Voyage Account – The Voyage of the Duff to the South Sea Islands – Captain James Wilson – First edition 1799

Trans-Himalaya: Discoveries and Adventures in Tibet – Two Volumes – Sven Hedin – First Editions -1909

The Faerie Queene – Edmund Spenser – Full Calf 1860′s Copy

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