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Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by Publisher

First published by Angus and Robertson in 1933. This is the seventh edition dated 1936. Inscribed by Walter Cousins head of the publishing house as a gift to Frances van Cleef, wife of a Chicago industrialist who was a close friend of the author.

Very good condition and in a very good example of the colourful dust jacket. Best copy we have seen of this elusive Idriess book.

The “Drums of Mer” captures the charm of the Torres Strait Islands. As usual great images to accompany an Idriess book. A selection of chapter titles gives one a feel … When the Blood Lust calls; The Battle of the Fly; Velvet Claws; The Trouncing of Kebisu; Jakara Makes Love and The People of the Auwo Oromo. Mer (Murray Island) is sitting between Yule Entrance and Flinders Entrance closer to Papua New Guinea than Australia.

Rare Idriess superb writing signed by publisher … super dust jacket

$90.00

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Victorian Telescope – 36 inch two draw – mahogany cased – c1880

This beautiful two draw telescope is English by origin and made in the Victorian era c1880.

It is in superb condition. Fully extended it is near 36 inches – closed about 16 inches. The 1.5 inch objective is clear and has good light gathering qualities – no chips. The mahogany casing is intact which is rare as they generally split with age. The eyepiece has a pull down dust cover as is usual for the period.

The brass objective has a dust cover fitted into a substantial extendable lens shade which slides well … all in very good condition. An instrument of this quality must have come from a leading London maker and the style suggests Dollond.

Good optics and fine mahogany banding making a handsome early telescope

Best one we have had for a long time!

$590.00

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Sail and Deliver! – Ronald Preedy

With a forward by Sir Alec Rose. Ronald Preedy had the best job … delivering yachts … and there really is only one way to do it.

A fine first edition published by Partridge Press, London in 1989. Octavo, 249 pages, illustrated and with charts of various routes taken.

Voyages undertaken include … Falmouth to Corunna, Spain; Florida to Norfolk, Virginia; Lymington to Gibralter; Vilamoura to Falmouth; Les Sables d’Olonne to Vilamoura and quite a few more.

Written very much in a story telling manner … a relaxing sailing read

Preedy was there when a skipper was needed

$25.00

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Letters From High Latitudes – Earl of Dufferin Governor General of India – From the Library of The Novar of Raith, Ronald Munro Ferguson, to be 6th Governor General of Australia and, who had married the daughter of Lord Dufferin, Lady Helen Hermoine in the year that Ferguson signed the inside of this book 1889.

Being some account of a Voyage in 1856 in the Schooner Yacht “Foam” to Iceland, Jan Meyen, and Spitzbergen.

Eighth edition published by John Murray in 1887, London, having been published a number of times since the first of 1857. New editions continued on well into the 20th Century.

Octavo, 248 pages, with frontispiece of the “First Glimpse of Jan Mayen”, and numerous illustrations throughout. Original blude cloth covered boards with gilt device to front, gilt titles to spine. Original jet black endpapers with Ronald Munro Ferguson, Novar of Raith’s bookplate on the front paste down. Also, signed and dated by Ferguson on a blank page before the half title July 27″ 89, the year he married Duffrein’s daughter … a wedding gift from the father-in-law?

Written as if a series of lengthy letters. Some unusual introductory content … poem “To The Figure=Head of the “Foam””; list of Dramatis Personae … Protesilaus stumbles on the threshold; the Icelander – a modern Sir Patrick Spens; Loch Goil – the Saga of Clan Campbell; through the Sounds – Stornaway; Out into the North Atlantic and gales and sea sickness – first sight of Iceland, landing at Thule; Reykjavik and buying horses … the lava plateau, mystical mountains, crossing the Arctic Circle; On to Jan Mayen and the volcanic Mount Berrenberg; Sailing for Bear Island and Cherie Island, the Freer Sea, landing at Spitzbergen, English Bay and Lady Edith’s Glacier …

Despite the popularity of the expedition and the book of events this was the only published work of the rather busy Frederick Hamilton-Temple -Blackwood, the First Marquess of Dufferin and Ava of Northern Ireland. Dufferin (1826-1902) was variously .. 3rd Governor of Canada, Viceroy and Governor General of India, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster etc he also held senior positions in the Middle East. Born into wealth he was educated at Oxford. Late in life he became involved in a major financial scandal resulting in the loss of most of his own fortune. He was exonerated of any blame , seemingly.

Ronald Munro Ferguson (1860-1934) was born at Kirkcaldy, Scotland. He attended Sandhurst an after a military career was elected to the House of Commons in 1884. In 1914 he was appointed Governor-General of Australia, forming a close bond with Prime Minister Billy Hughes during the difficult years of WWI. He held office until 1920, the six year term then being a record. Returned to Scotland to become 1st Viscount Novar and Secretary for Scotland. After politics he held Board and Management position in a number of Insurance and banking companies and, was knighted in 1926.

Price $180.00

Dufferin in the “Foam” in the cold North … unusual descriptive writing. Exceptional provenance

$180.00

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The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

Adrian Hayter was chosen as the leader of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition of 1964-65.

This is his record of experiences at and around the Scott Base in the Ross Sea Dependency.

Published by the Quality Book Club following the Hodder and Stoughton first the same year 1968. We also have the Hodder version … see separate write up.

Octavo,191 pages, illustrated from original photographs, diagrams etc. A very good copy apart from light soiling front jacket

A well written and readable account from the previously published author. As well as the trips, experience, difficulties etc we have a honest account of the personnel issues that arise out of the extended close contact and isolation.

Reference Renard 680

Good cold weather account on the industrious NZ Antarctic team

$25.00

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Voyaging – Captain James William Holmes – Edited by Nora Coghlan

Subtitled … “Fifty years on the seven seas in sail”. With pen pictures and paintings by Captain James William Holmes, Member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. With a forward by John Masefield.

A fine copy of the second impression published 1966 by Hutchinson of London.

Octavo, 207 pages with illustrations throughout mainly from the subjects magnificent artwork.

Masefield describes Holmes as one of the most famous sea captains of the late Victorian era and salivates over the then thrill of the sailing ships if full rig. The editor, Holmes’s daughter twice sailed around the world with her father. Much about sailing to Australian and New Zealand.

Captain Holmes from a special breed ..

$27.00

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All products

Drums of Mer – Ion Idriess – Signed by Publisher

Victorian Telescope – 36 inch two draw – mahogany cased – c1880

Sail and Deliver! – Ronald Preedy

The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

Voyaging – Captain James William Holmes – Edited by Nora Coghlan

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