Non-fiction

A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Meek (1871-1943) was born into a Natural History family. Before he was twenty he was at Coomooboolaroo Station in Queensland collecting for the great Lionel Rothschild for his zoo at Tring. He then travelled New Guinea and the Solomons for both Tring and the Natural History Museum. This is a second impression in very good condition.

This is the book on his travels. Amongst his great finds were the holotyoe and paratype of the Woodlark venomous snake, rare there are still only twelve specimens known. In 1906 he discovered (and shot) the first specimen of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly … the largest in the world.

Many species are named after him … a crested pigeon, lorikeet, pygmy-parrot, crow, dwarf kingfisher etc and several butterflies and moths.

Meek a fearless Natural Historian who made his mark in New Guinea and the Solomons

$160.00

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Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Extremely rare London First 1923. Very good condition bar some occasional foxing. Bright and tight boards as published.

W.R. (Dickie) Humphries arrived in Papua in 1917 and took over an ambitious patrolling plan under the guidance of Hubert Murray. This excellent book records in detail a number of exploratory expeditions. Taking in Nepa, Tiveris, Kerma and Christmas on the Lakekamu, the Kukukukus and their raids on Nepa. Off into the unknown … ascending Mount Chapman and to the valley at Kwolum, friendly natives (rare) at Biaru and gigantic cigars. Ascending Mount Waria and a close shave. At Dunai-ia strange graves and thumb nails and to Boli, Nele and Morobe before turning back to Kokoda. Nicely illustrated with unique with over 40 photographic images. In 1924 Humphries escorted Frank Hurley on his famous photographic expedition into the Mount Yule area.

Scarce as they get patrolling expeditions immediately post WWI

$190.00

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Sir John French – The Little Field Marshall – Richard Holmes

Published by Jonathan cape, London. A fine copy in a like dust jacket. Almost as new.

This 1981 first edition was the first proper biography on French. Heavily criticised by many for his failures during WWI French has supporters including Churchill and Lloyd George.

This book written with access to his private papers reveals his despair at the mounting casualties and a rather ambitious private life full of mistress and a secret second marriage.

French in WWI and much more

$40.00

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The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

A first edition of Hall and Neal’s legendary book about the ancient ruins of Rhodesia.

The binding is in very good condition and the gilt top edge clean and bright as day one. The pages are rough cut as required and there is some foxing internally as usual especially around the many plates where there is a change in paper type. Accepting this it is a very good copy with the gilt device to the front board strong and impressive. There is no fading along the bottom of the front cover that is just a glitch with Voyager’s scanner!

11 plans some folding along with 36 plates and a massive folding map of the ruins and ancient gold mines. An incredible effort and a Voyager favourite.

Early history in Zimbabwe that will surprise.

$170.00

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Scott’s Last Expedition – a Play – “The Fire and the Snow”

A play by Douglas Stewart about Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition.

It premiered on ABC radio in June 1941 to great acclaim. It was to star Peter Finch as Scott but he joined the army four days before broadcast so Frank Harvey stepped in. No copy of the original production appears to exist. The BBC produced another version in 1951 which superseded this publication in 1945.

Comes along with the script of the play “The Golden Lover” a Maori romance.

Scott’s on the Radio and in Film!

$50.00

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Fine Binding – Magnetism – Sir W Snow Harris -1850

Rudimentary Magnetism: being a Concise Exposition of the General Principles of Magnetical Science and the Purpose to which it has been Applied.

Published by John Weale, London in 1850-52. Three parts in two (as issued) 159, 186 and 152 with all preliminaries bound finely in full calf, spine richly gilt with raised bands and black title label.

A very good copy of an important mid-19th Century work on electricity and magnetism. A good gift for a worthy scientific mind.

Finely bound 19th Century Scientific Work

$120.00

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A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Sir John French – The Little Field Marshall – Richard Holmes

The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

Scott’s Last Expedition – a Play – “The Fire and the Snow”

Fine Binding – Magnetism – Sir W Snow Harris -1850

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