Books on books

The Lake Regions of Africa – John Giddie – 1883

Published by Nelson, Edinburgh in 1883 described as a record of modern discovery. So a book that build on the first hand account of all of the great African explorers to date.

Octavo, 275 pages, with 32 illustrations, some light foxing, mark to rear cover otherwise a pretty good copy, with the delightful black and gilt illustrated front board and spine.

The contents separated into three principal sections covering exploration of the Nile, Congo and Zambesi rivers. Nicely done.

Nice book provides timeframe and perspective to 19thC African exploration.

$75.00

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Antarctica – Key Reference to Antarctic Literature – Renard – 1994

The mammoth and quality Antarctica sale of Gaston Renard, through Leonard Joel in 1994 made the associated catalogue a principal reference for Antarctic narratives. Catalogued by Julien Renard who acknowledges the substantial assistance of Mileva Ilic and of his wife Pam and of Thelma Finn.

The descriptions are full and where unique because of ownership, annotation etc they make for interesting reading in themselves. For those that collect and use Spence etc this is an essential addition and will be often off the shelf as scarce items raise their heads.

Quarto, soft covers, 244 pages cataloguing 1,744 items followed by a useful “Reference List” and preceded by a useful bibliophilic “Explanatory Note”. Carries master collector Rodney Davidson’s bookplate … a little wave to front cover perhaps as a result.

Renard first place of reference anything Antarctic of worth.

$70.00

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Private Presses and Their Books – Will Ransom

A fine copy of the reissue of this special book first printed in 1929.

Published by James Cummins Bookseller, New York in 1992. Octavo, 493 pages. Original orange cloth covered binding with gilt title, no dust jacket as issued.The book contains some delightful illustrations of woodcut image and “Press Marks” and examples of the unique fonts used in the printing process.

A thorough piece of work by Ransom who was expert in the private press movement in America and England. Starts very early with Caxton etc. Includes Kelmscott, Doves, Village, Ashedene, Merrymount, Brice Rodgers, Nonesuch etc.

A book lovers delight to read … not at all dry ..

James Cummins was established in 1978 and is at 699 Madison Avenue. A really super bookstore which has a number of specialities including not surprisingly Private Press. You must take time to go there when in the Big Apple.

Super reference on the Private Press movement rejuvenated.

$70.00

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Original Thesis – French Books in Early Australian Public and Private Collections – Patricia Gray – Monash 1981

An original typescript thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne March 1981.

179 pages, A4 typed one side, bound in blue cloth covered boards, gilt titles, author etc to spine. Nice solid binding, headbands etc. Very good condition.

Partial contribution but a monumental piece of world. Gray acknowledges Professor W Kirsop for his unstinting sharing of scholarship, suggestions and provision of materials. Francophile Wallace Kirsop is bibliographical royalty in Australia …Editor of the Australian Journal of French Studies for many years he expanded his interest in French literature to the history of publication, the book trade, collections, social impacts etc.

Patrcia Gray commences her work with a introduction providing perspective and connection of the main topic to the history of the French explorers and first settled French in Australia. Given the cost and time delay in ordering books from Europe the first major source of books was through auction. The first book auction in Australia was in 1805. Gray provides an analysis of early auctions from 1818-1856. Similarly Gray reviews Libraries in a similar manner for the period 1832-1874 … Circulating Libraries; South Australian Regional; Victorian Regional; Australian Subscription; Tasmanian Public Library and Reading Room; Parliamentary etc.

Throughout references are made to specific titles, authors etc and patterns develop regarding interest, interested parties etc … most enlightening at the detailed level. One comes away with a better understanding of the book trade and the nature of French interest, whether it be fiction, science, history, wine making etc., within Australia during the 19thC.

A unique in depth work about books in Australia in the 19thC.

$130.00

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The Celebrated George Barrington: A Spurious Author; The Book Trade, And Botany Bay – Nathan Garvey

For collectors of early Australiana the confusion over the Barrington books is well known. There might be the occasional flight to Wantrup but the riddle will most likely still remain unresolved. Here we have it, the essential explanation and reference ..

Octavo, 327 pages nicely illustrated from early Barrington books. Published by Hordern House, Sydney 2008. A fine copy.

Traces the genesis of the Barrington books, with an excellent account of publishing in England in the period. Contains the authoritative bibliography with over eighty works referenced.

George Barrington and his early Australian books … resolved

$40.00

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A Bibliography of the Writings of Jonathan Swift – Herman Teerink.

A second revised and corrected edition of Dr Teerink’s fundamental reference on Swift.

Published by the University od Pennsylvania Press in 1963. Published in Britain by the Oxford University. First published in 1937, Teerink had continued to compile new discoveries and corrections since that date. He died in 1961 so it was down to Editor Arthur Scouten to produce this update from Teerink’s notes.

Large, thick octavo, 453 pages with frontispiece of Captain Lemuel Gulliver. A very good copy.

The preface by Thomas Yoseloff, Director of the Press reflects on the decision to publish the revision and the difficultly in understanding Terrink’s handwriting. Probably in the history of bibliography there has not been more challenge than in this work on Swift, mainly because of the nature of the publishing trade in the first half of the 18thC and the many potential attributions not under the authors real name or published anonymously.

A monumental work. One might say … what interest a Swift bibliography unless the completely immersed. Well, really it give one a thorough education of the publication of the book in the era … the challenges .. unsold runs of earlier copies and how they can be used in bolstering re-issues of complete works etc. the printing houses and the quality of editorial and review before press.

The structure of book is helpful … Table of Symbols and abbreviations. Table of Location of Teerink Numbers and then the body … Collected Works; Smaller Collections; A Tale of the Tub; Gulliver’s Travels; Separate Works; Doubtful (well some would challenge other and put some of these in the mix); Biography and Criticism, 1709-1895. And a useful index.

Jonathan Swift – more than Gulliver and “the Tub” a lifetime work by Teerink.

$60.00

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The Lake Regions of Africa – John Giddie – 1883

Antarctica – Key Reference to Antarctic Literature – Renard – 1994

Private Presses and Their Books – Will Ransom

Original Thesis – French Books in Early Australian Public and Private Collections – Patricia Gray – Monash 1981

The Celebrated George Barrington: A Spurious Author; The Book Trade, And Botany Bay – Nathan Garvey

A Bibliography of the Writings of Jonathan Swift – Herman Teerink.

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