Travel & Voyages

The Voyage of the “Scotia” – Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration in the Antarctic Seas By R.N. Rudmose Brown, J.H.H. Pirie and R.C. Mossman

A facsimile of the rare first published by Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh in 1906. This edition by ANU, Canberra in 1978.

The original small quarto this octavo, 375 pages with numerous illustrations and a chart of the track of the Scotia; a map of Laurie Island South Orkneys and a large folding chart at the rear … Bathymetrical Survey of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Weddell Sea. A fine copy. The piper on the front is naturalist Burn Murdoch … the first person to play the bagpipes on the Antarctic … and also in the Arctic … quiet an achievement.

With an additional forward by Sir George Deacon which adds greatly to our understanding of the expedition leader William Spiers Bruce and his colleagues who were joint authors of this account

William Spiers Bruce (1867-1921) was born in Edinburgh and was Scotland’s greatest polar scientist and oceanographer. His greatest accomplishment is recorded in this account, leading the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902-1904) to the South Orkney Islands and the Weddell Sea, where they conducted the first oceanographic explorations and discovered the northern part of the Caird Coast. They established the first permanent weather station in the Antarctic. Bruce would not write the popular account of the expedition so it fell to his three lieutenants to write this much admired work.

Bruce had previously been on the Dundee Whaling Expedition (1892) having given up medical studies to participate. In between he participated in Arctic Voyages to Novaya Zemlya, Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land. He wanted to joined Scott’s Discovery Expedition but it is said that he fell out with Markham and therefore organised his own Scottish expedition. He was a good friend of Mawson and provided gear towards Mawson’s later expedition.

The Scottish expedition, an early one with significant achievements, often overlooked.

$140.00

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A History of Trains and Trams in Tasmania – Thomas Cooley.

Thomas Cooley previously published “Railroading in Tasmania” and had completed this work concerning his lifetime interest just before he died.

Published posthumously by the Tasmanian Government Printer, Caudell in 1987. Octavo, 184 pages, illustrated from some super period photographs, maps of lines etc.

A quite special book and naturally the train systems being connected so much to the broader history of Tasmania … the development of mining in the West and North East for example. We particularly like the references to and images of early operating traction engines which couldn’t make there way into the unambiguous title.

Super copy of Cooley’s definitive book on the Tasmanian Rail and Tram Systems.

$40.00

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In the Footsteps of [Captain Robert Falcon] Scott – Mear and Swan

Large octavo, 306 pages, published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1987. Nicely illustrated and with end paper maps.

Robert Swan had an ambition to walk to the South Pole in honour of Robert Scott and his party. He enlisted Mear and another. They were supported by Peter Scott and Lord Shackleton. There were many challenges and they accomplished a number of firsts in their preparation – first up Erebus in the Winter. A really great account.

Swan always an adventurer cycled from Cape Town to Cairo and circumnavigated (if that’s the correct term) the Vatnajokull Ice Cap in Iceland on skis. What fun he had.

Swan all the way to the Pole

$25.00

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Batavia – The first and last voyage – Phillipe Godard.

Published by Abrolhos, Perth in 1993. Large quarto, 332 pages, a high quality production. Heavy will require a postage supplement if going overseas. Fine condition.

Well researched and stunningly illustrated our favourite Batavia book. All about the V.O.C., Francisco Pelsaert, the voyage and the Houtman Abrolhos and the wreck, Cornelisz’ Webb of treachery, Cat’s Island … and then much later the discovery of the wreck the treasures and the building of the replica and rebirth.

Become a true Batavia Expert – a photographic delight

$60.00

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The Cruise of the Freak – Mission to the Islands – the Missionary Voyages in Bass Strait of Canon Marcus Brownrigg 1872-1885 – Edited and introduced by Stephen Murray-Smith

Published by Foot and Playsted in 1987. Unusual style dust wrappered Soft cover, xxxv, ii, 244 pages, some illustrations, a fine copy.

The editor provides a lengthy and worthwhile introduction, including a list and biography/ context of the principal personalities.

This is a reprint of a rare and sought after 19thC voyage account. The original title being … The Cruise of the Freak – A narrative of a Visit to the Islands in Bass and Banks Straits with some Account of the Islands – this contains thirteen voyages in all

Not an unlucky number for Brownrigg.

$40.00

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Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

A strange one appears to be effectively self published but through the great Bernard Quaritch, London. Limited to only 150 copies.

A most interesting account of the Portuguese Explorer who is attributed with the Discovery of Brazil. Born into a noble family circa 1467. In his discovery years he was likely the first person on the planet to step foot on four continents all in one voyage of 1500 when he did a significant exploration of the north east coast of South America and stuck the flag in the ground for Portugal. He then followed Vasco da Gama to the east and India in search of those valuable spices.

Large squarish octavo, 72 pages. Original calf backed red cloth covered boards, gilt titling along spine. A very good copy of a scarce item.

Pedro Cabral an oft overlooked Explorer

$120.00

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The Voyage of the “Scotia” – Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration in the Antarctic Seas By R.N. Rudmose Brown, J.H.H. Pirie and R.C. Mossman

A History of Trains and Trams in Tasmania – Thomas Cooley.

In the Footsteps of [Captain Robert Falcon] Scott – Mear and Swan

Batavia – The first and last voyage – Phillipe Godard.

The Cruise of the Freak – Mission to the Islands – the Missionary Voyages in Bass Strait of Canon Marcus Brownrigg 1872-1885 – Edited and introduced by Stephen Murray-Smith

Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

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