Products | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

A first edition of this full on voyage and travel account by the articulate James Prior. Published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co, London in 1819.

A lovely internal copy rebound in grey/green paper covered boards, as was typical of a primary binding of the true period, gilt on red leather title to spine. Octavo, 114 pages with special three fold map dated 1810 drawn by W M Cobb RN, also printed by Phillips. Another folding chart of the Harbour at Mozambique (note the different spelling) and a striking engraved view of the Town and Fort at Mozambique.

Well we have to be careful as this book is right in Voyager’s sweet spot. The narrative content is far fuller physically than the 114 pages suggest. First simply due to the format and the lines and words set per page, but also because Prior’s writing style is honed and full of interesting detail – no padding.

The long title gives you an idea of the coverage. Voyager’s favourite island, St Helena, is tackled well and one gets a great idea of the first impression on approach and the manner and detail of James Town and the various Plantation houses up “Ladder Hill” … “Ruperts Hill” etc.

Not in the title we also learn about the Comoro Islands … out from Mozambique and north west of Madagascar … this group of four ex volcanic islands probably the most beautiful place in the World. The Comoro islands was the primary reason behind the voyage as the King of Comoro had sought help against “predatory expeditions” of several thousand warriors from Madagascar. War was not the solution conferences were held – we can learn from that.

Good content on Rio and Brazil so don’t be confused by the lead in to the title …

Taking you back to the beginning and Prior has arrived at Cape Town where of all things he is off to the races … “the course is on Green Point, on the verge of the Bay: it was attended my multitudes, some in handsome vehicles … filled with females of every age, class and complexion. A dinner to the members concluded the meeting, followed of course by a ball … and the amusements of the week finished, on Saturday, with a private race, a cock-fight, the execution of several malefactors near the ground, and a dual between two gentlemen holding official situations, nearly fatal; so that we could not complain of want of variety”

We had to show you this even though it is not typical of the narrative – different times!

Interesting early 19thC Voyage from east Africa to Brazil

$390.00

Updating cart…

The Convict Probation System [Tasmania] – Ian Brand

Published Hobart by the Blubber Press I 1990. Large wide octavo, 284 pages, illustrated a particularly good fine copy.

Before 1839 convicts in Tasmania were systematically put into service in the hands of private individuals. Some had an even harder time than when incarcerated, others the opposite and were treated too leniently often leading to a return to crime.

In 1839 a new system of Probation was introduced where groups of convicts were progressively rehabilitated until released. It was an absolute failure with the “normal” population soon engulfed by past convicts who had not actually met the mark … society spiralled downwards on all fronts. The Governor was dismissed, and La Trobe came down from Melbourne as caretaker and reviewer.

This book contains his unexpurgated report to the British Parliament.

The author Ian Brand was a devoted student of the convict system and wrote many works on the subject.

Ill Planned Change in Convict Systems caused Mayhem

$80.00

Updating cart…

Large Scale Copper Engraving of the Façade of Amsterdam Town Hall – Jacob van Campden – 1661

Original large folio copper engraving of the Amsterdam Town Hall. The western façade showing ground floor entrance and first, second and third floor windows divided into upper and lower sections. A fronton with a statue either end and in the middle Atlas carrying the world globe. The actual length of the building is 79 metres.

See National Library of Australia for an example reference 226808

Central fold – paper xxcm by xxcm. Apologies that it is too big to get a full image on our large scanner .. but almost. Sowing some age as you would expect but still a very worthy example and would make a superb architectural framed item .. if you are Dutch even better.

Represents plate E from Afbeelding van’t Stadt Huys van Amsterdam in darigh coopere Plaaten / geordineert door Jacob van Campden; en geteeckent door Jacob Vennekool. Tot Amsterdam: Bij Dancker Danckerets … 1661.

Price $120.00 unframed
One of a number of 17th century architectural engravings at Voyager.

$120.00

Updating cart…

Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

This is the deluxe edition by Genesis Publications in association with Hedley Australia printed in 1986. Originally published with another work here presented alone. Quarter leather bound with gilt Flinders to front, impressed title to spine which has faux raised bands, all page edges richly gilt … a quality expected from Genesis.

Fine condition. A heavy book unsuitable for Overseas purchase.

Folio, 365 pages of facsimile and useful index at the end … Geoffrey Ingleton’s useful introductory note helps one in to the manuscript. This is Flinders in Mauritius incarcerated by the French on his way black to England to complete his charts and publication which was to change the name of the lucky continent to Australia. Flinders hand surprisingly readable which is what makes for a good facsimile manuscript … still needs a little patience and the index helps you around

We say incarcerated, and he did have his freedom removed, but he had an easy time of it .. albeit rather lengthy and annoying.

Flinders in Mauritius beautifully presented.

$190.00

Updating cart…

Out with the Old Voyagers – Horace Groser – 1908

By Horace G Groser and published by Andrew Melrose, London a third edition with our preferred “gold theme” covers. The book that was the inspiration behind Voyager.

Octavo, 276 pages with 37 full page illustrations. Pictorial covers to die for with the super Voyager script … like modern day Vivaldi. Free endpaper excised and a little top of frontis – a name that was not to be left. Otherwise a super solid copy.

A solid history of early seafaring starting with Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Columbus, Magellan and the Cabots. Frobisher to the North and Sir John Hawkins out to the West Indies. Drake around the World … Davis to Greenland, Lancaster. And then Berents to Nova Zembla. The 16th Century just over and the four voyages of Henry Hudson to complete.

Voyager’s favourite inspirational Voyagers

$70.00

Updating cart…

Jack Maggs – Peter Carey – First edition

A first edition published by the University of Queensland Press in 1997. Large octavo, 392 pages, a little evenly toned we think, otherwise unblemished in a super dust jacket.

Carey’s Jack Maggs is straight out of Dickens and the characters and homage are clear to the end. Much admired for that literary daring.

Jack Maggs returns to London from Australia in 1837. He needs to be careful as his departure from London had not been at his own pleasure. He has a clear and honourable objective … but its not that simple.

Peter Carey in the manner of C.D. with Maggs

$35.00

Updating cart…

All products

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

The Convict Probation System [Tasmania] – Ian Brand

Large Scale Copper Engraving of the Façade of Amsterdam Town Hall – Jacob van Campden – 1661

Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

Out with the Old Voyagers – Horace Groser – 1908

Jack Maggs – Peter Carey – First edition

Product Categories