Products | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Antique Microscope Slide – Exhibition Standard – Arranged Diatoms with Spicules of Syncyota Holothuriale [Sea Cucumber] – W. A Firth – c1890.

A circle arrangement of numerous diatom types along with spicules from the cucumber – these spicules forming part of the sea cucumber’s skeletal structure.

William Allott Firth [1853-1923] was a professional mounter specialising is diatoms. Born in Barnsley, England he moved as a child with his family to Belfast where he remained for the rest of his life. His slides are regarded as of the highest quality, and this is an unusual example. His name label is supported by his characteristic handwriting which never varied.

The slide is difficult to precisely date partly because of the consistency of Firth’s handwriting noted above. The labelling arrangement is identical with Bracegirdle’s example Plat 17/K but no date is given. Bracegirdle does show a slide dated 1877 but we think this one is later – probably circa 1890. The pricing noted is a later reseller.

Good condition given age albeit crack across cover slip not affecting the view.

Complex arrangement of diatom types and spicules by expert Firth.

$120.00

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Romantic Java – As it Was and Is – H.S. Banner FRGS – First Edition 1927

First edition of a super book dedicated to Java. The longer title assists.

“A description of the diversified peoples, the departed glories of and strange customs of a little known island, remarkable both for its arts, decorative and dramatic, and for its natural beauty and the richness of its resources.

Thick royal octavo, 282 pages. Printed on that tick spongy paper typical of Seeley of London, the publisher, so some foxing near the edges and page edges – not bad. Many period photographs relevant to the extensive travels. Bound in the crimson cloth covered boards with gilt decoration to front gilt title to spine. Has its rare dust jacket albeit chipped – done a very good job of preserving the boards which are super clean and crisp.

Travels take in Jocjakata, Surakarta, a view of Krakatau, Bhima, Bonan, Gambang Gangsa, Volcano Bromo in “full blast’, strange collection of “heads’ the Temple at Borobudhur etc etc

Well informed and written Banner was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London.

$160.00

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Not as a Stranger – Morton Thompson – First UK edition 1955 – Gift Condition

First UK edition of Morton Thompson’s novel concerning the medical world – published by Michael Joseph in 1955. Published in the USA a year earlier and made into a Stanley Kramer film in 1955.

Royal octavo, 702 pages. A super clean copy with a pretty good dust jacket.

The adult life a medical student and his life as a doctor – some manoeuvres required on the financial/ marrying front to help with his study fees. Develops a dislike of fellow medics – their ethics and pursuit of money … Some quite racy bits here and there … no doubt made it movie worthy – step in Frank Sinatra

A fine novel by the much-admired Thompson, one of few serious works connected to the medical world.

$40.00

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Frank Hurley Biography – From Snowdrift to Shellfire – David Millar

First edition published by David Ell Press, Sydney in 1984. Limited to quite a few 2,500 copies. Quarto, 160 pages, full of images from Hurley photographs as one would expect, maps etc. A very good if not fine copy.

A truly readable and enjoyable biography, deserves more praise than it gets.

Captain James Francis (Frank) Hurley (1885-1962) was a brave man. His Antarctic exploits are legendary – the photograph of “meteorologists braving the blizzard” representing the harsh reality of Antarctic life. His achievements during the bleakest days of the “South” expedition. Later, the BANZARE expeditions.

World War I and Flanders and Palestine where the photographic record is a reminder of the sacrifice and successes of war to maintain freedom for others.

Our favourite though goes to his images in Papua New Guinea – an exploit conceived in the coldest darkest days of polar life – how extreme.

Hurley best all round biography with striking images.

$40.00

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Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

An original magic lantern slide of an important moment during Scott’s “Discovery” Expedition, by Newton & Co, London

The British National Antarctic Expedition also known as the “Discovery” Expedition, after their boat was carried out 1901-1904.

Scott chose the popular Shackleton and his trusted buddy Wilson to form, with him, the three-man party to push as far south as possible. It was not an attempt at the South Pole. They mostly achieved their goal reaching 82 degrees south, further than the previous Borchgrevink achievement.

The adventure did not run smoothly. They took many dogs with them and lost 22 from tainted food and other difficulties. Shackleton broke down and became a burden [something Shackleton later watered down – the recording of his difficulties in both Scott and Wilson’s diaries was the start probably of ill-founded views that Scott took a dislike to Shackleton, partly because of the latter’s popularity among the men]. On return to camp Scott had Shackleton sent away on the support ship “Morning” to recover.

Newton & Co can be traced back to 1704 – started by a J. Newton who was related to the big man himself Isaac Newton who was not knighted until the following year 1705.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8 cm by 8 cm.

A period memento of a key moment in Polar exploration.

$140.00

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Falco Pygargus the Hen-Harrier – Fine Copperplate engraving by Susemihl – Published c1800

Original and striking hand-coloured copper engraving of a young female Hen Harrier by Johann Conrad Susemihl (1767-1847).
Published in Darmmstadt as part of a progressive work “Teutsche Ornithologie oder Naturgeschichte … between 1797 and 1810.

The execution of this massive work was a family affair with Johann being assisted by his children Eduard and Emilie and his brother Johann Theodor. The superior quality and scale of these engravings makes them highly sought after.

Paper size 50cm by 34cm … the engraved impression is 34cm by 25cm …

Price $180.00 unframed … enquire about framing options if you wish … click on me to see me all!

The beautiful dignified Harrier by Susemihl

$180.00

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All products

Antique Microscope Slide – Exhibition Standard – Arranged Diatoms with Spicules of Syncyota Holothuriale [Sea Cucumber] – W. A Firth – c1890.

Romantic Java – As it Was and Is – H.S. Banner FRGS – First Edition 1927

Not as a Stranger – Morton Thompson – First UK edition 1955 – Gift Condition

Frank Hurley Biography – From Snowdrift to Shellfire – David Millar

Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

Falco Pygargus the Hen-Harrier – Fine Copperplate engraving by Susemihl – Published c1800

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