Non-fiction

Shipwreck and Discovery of the Pelew Islands – First Edition 1788

An Account of the Pelew Islands situated in the Western Part of the Pacific Ocean, composed from the Journals and Communications of Captain Henry Wilson, and some of his Officers who, in August 1783, were there Shipwrecked in the Antelope … George Keate – 1788

Published by G Nicol, Booksellers to His Majesty the King, Pall Mall, LonDon in 1788. Quarto, xxvii, 378 pages. Bound in half leather over marbled papered boards, spine in compartments with gilt titles, author, date [1788] and fouled anchors to compartments. Binding a little rubbed to edges but still strong and impressive, internally a little age and occasional foxing and the odd stain, overall a good to better copy complete and worthy in any collection.

Frontispiece and sixteen magnificent engravings 8 of which are folding. Frontispiece of Wilson and an important folding map of the islands and their relationship with The Philippines, also a three-fold plan or view of the islands.

Composed from the journals and communications of Captain Wilson and his Officers who in 1783 were shipwrecked in the Antelope a packet belonging to the Honourable East India Company. They hit a reef near one of the Palau (Pelew) Island, a previously unexplored group. The entire crew managed to get ashore safely, where they were well treated by the natives and eventually managed to build a small vessel from the wreck in which they reached Macao. They took Prince Lee Boo, one of King Adda Thulle’s sons, with them to England, where he made a very good impression. Unhappily despite of precautions he died of smallpox. Keate was the author of numerous books of poetry, history, and letter, and counted Captain Wilson as well as Voltaire amongst his friends.

First Edition 1788 – An important Account with an interesting, readable narrative and impressive plates and maps.

$790.00

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IMAGO MVUNDI (MUNDI) The Journal of The International Society for the History of Cartography – Volume 42

Published by Imago Mundi, King College London in 1990. Folio, 179 pages including advertisements. Illustrated with maps, charts and diagrams. original blue cloth with gilt titling and device. Very good condition.

An annual publication and the pinnacle of cartographic research. Superbly presented.

Contents include – Monumental Legends on Medieval Manuscript Maps; Derrotera Map of the Bahamas; Maps as Art and Science from the 16thC; Land Company Mapping in North America; Sanson-Jaillot map of South America 1674 etc etc

Extensive book reviews provided an excellent bibliography for cartography enthusiasts.

Imago Mundi cannot be improved

$50.00

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Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

This is a second edition, with important amendments and additions [including a map] of respected hard to find, book by Chandra Gupta. Octavo, 239 pages, published by Allied – Bombay etc. in 1964.

This book is concerned with the fall of the Maratha power in the early years of the nineteenth century. Baji Rao II was the very last of the Peshwas who was compelled to enter into a subordinate alliance with the East India Company. He tried to address the situation but after the last Maratha War he surrendered all his power in return for the security of a pension.

Baji Roa II and the powerful East India Company

$40.00

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The Siege of Chitral, 1895 – Much Sounding of Bugles – John Harris

We have swapped the title and subtitle around as for us the former belittles somewhat the history of the event.

Books were written by officer attendees in the last decade of the 19thC … such as Younghusband and these works provide good primary reference for the author. However, his total body of “reference’ is much more than we anticipated and as a result here we have what is the definitive account.

Larger octavo, 248 pages, endpaper maps, period photographic images, a very good copy bar an ownership label on front paste down.

Chitral as if you had been there but without the pain.

$40.00

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The Splendour of Israel – Robert Payne

First Edition published by one of our favourites – The Travel Book Club – Charing Cross, London in 1963.

Octavo, 192 pages, maps at front. Some age but still a very good copy.

Well written narrative with good content and impressions and historical continent re Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Tal Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, Lake Huleh, Hazor, Nazareth, Mount Tabor, The Sea of Galilee, Beersheba, Massada etc.

Israel read it for a better understanding

$25.00

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Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Important book about the little known Wai-Wai from the border of Gayana and Brazil. Nicholas Guppy was an incredible individual – he died in Bali in his 80’s having gone there to alleviate the effects of hookworm which found their way into his system during these adventures. We strongly recommend reading his obituary in the London Telegraph … too much and too interesting to paraphrase here.

Thick octavo, 374 pages, first edition published by none other than John Murray, London in 1958. Chips to dust jacket as seen in the image but still a very good copy of a must have book.

A useful map near the front provides an overview of the travels first by light aircraft, then foot and canoe over very difficult terrain and waters. Guppy a botanist was sent to secure rare specimens but foremost in his mind was finding the elusive Wai-Wai. The travels were arduous; finding sufficient food along the way was problematic – particularly as the gang of native helpers he used appeared to regard him [his body] as back-up should provisions be depleted! Eventually he meets his Wai-Wai … a most unusual group, completely unaffected by western life. He came to love and admire them – reflected in this book and from what we read his conversation throughout his life.

We wish we could say more and maybe be more precise about this work – it is more than worthy.

Adventurous Guppy meets his Wai-Wai and they get along well.

$50.00

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Shipwreck and Discovery of the Pelew Islands – First Edition 1788

IMAGO MVUNDI (MUNDI) The Journal of The International Society for the History of Cartography – Volume 42

Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

The Siege of Chitral, 1895 – Much Sounding of Bugles – John Harris

The Splendour of Israel – Robert Payne

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

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