Exploration

Melanesians and Polynesians – Their Life Histories Described and Compared – George Brown – First 1910

Hard to find first edition published in 1910. George Brown had published his autobiography “George Brown, Pioneer Missionary and Explorer” two years earlier. Brown had spent time in Samoa (1860-1874) was the first European to live in New Britain and New Ireland (1875-1880). After New Britain he spent time in the Solomon Islands from where he visited the broader Pacific Island Groups.

An important anthropological work. Published by Macmillan, London. Royal octavo, 451 pages, with 70 illustration from original photographs, many rather special. Bound in original light green cloth covered boards with a gilt image of a carved bowl to the front. Very good condition.

The chapters build progressively … the Islands in which the People live; Homes and Families; Childhood and early life; Food Cooking and Cannibalism; Wars Disease and Medicines; Religion; Magic Witchcraft Omens and Superstitions; Morals Crimes and Covenants; Government Laws and Tabu; Arithmetic Money Measure and Trade; Property Ornament and Industry; Hunting Fishing Agriculture and Games; History and Mythology; Language; Sickness Death and Burial. The beginning to the end in a readable and fully informed style.

George Brown no better first hand knowledge – fundamental work on the Melanesian and Polynesian People – one of our most treasured books

$150.00

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Riviere de Sourabaya – by Sigismond Himely – from the Voyage of La Favourite – 1835

An original aquatint by Sigismond Himely (1801-1872)) of the River Sourabaya, Java Indonesia .

Executed on India-laid paper being plate number 58 from “Voyage Autour du Monde par les Mers de l’Inde et de la Chine de la corvette de sa Majeste La Favorite execute pendant les annees 1830,1831,1832 sous le commandement de M. Laplace” published in Paris in 1835 under the direction of Louise Auguste de Sainson.

Plate size 28.8 x 38.2 cm. Included in the National Collection as part of the Rex Nan Kivell bequest NK685. Some minor ageing around the border a pretty clean image as can be seen from the scans

Price $140.00 unframed

Delicate image of the River Sourabaya, Java – 1835

$120.00

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Discovery – The Quest for the Great South Land – Estensen

Miriam Estensen’s very readable book about the hunt for land in the Southern Hemisphere.

Published by Allen & Unwin in 1998. Octavo, 286 pages including and index and extensive bibliography. Nicely illustrated very good condition.

Estensen employs a much wider and very much earlier time frame for this work. Despite this we have the Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese activities before the French and the English … and a good balance is achieved regarding the relevance of all.

The Quest well researched nicely written

$20.00

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Journals of Expeditions in Van Diemen’s Land 1833 – John Charles Darke – Sullivan’s Cove Delicacy

A delightful limited edition by Sullivan’s Cove published in 1985. Number 20 of 175 copies. Charming fine gift like quality. Darke’s manuscripts are held by the Tasmanian State Library. Protected in semi-translucent mylar wrap as issued .. not shown here only because it does not photograph well … everything in fine condition.

A diminutive 43 pages Darke’s expeditions are set out in three reports … first, To the Peak of Teneriffe in 1833, second South West of the Peak and finally “Hobart Town Report”’ all dated 1833.

There is an interesting editors note the “Peak of Teneriffe” is Wyld’s Craig and the “Derwent’ variously referred to is in fact the River Nive.

Beautiful things often come in small packages

Posted may well be reduced on this item ..

$60.00

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Sea of Dangers – Captain Cook and His Rivals- Geoffrey Blainey

A modern book by our choices but a special one by academic author Geoffrey Blainey.

Published by Viking, Melbourne in 2008 a first edition. Large octavo, 420 pages, nicely illustrated and in fine near new condition. A substantial book.

Blainey interestingly writes a co-mingled account of the first voyage of James Cook where he discovers the eastern coastline of Australia when at the same time Frenchman Jean de Surville was in the Pacific looking for a supposed Pacific based Jewish colony.

It is suggested that de Surville was in and around Sydney in the months before Cook arrived.

Nice work – Cook not alone the French were around!

$22.00

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The Great White South or, With Scott in the Antarctic – Herbert G. Ponting

Subtitle … Being and account of Experiences with Captain Scott’s South Pole Expedition and of the Nature life of the Antarctic.

Herbert Ponting’s highly regarded and popular contribution to the heroic era library. A tenth edition 1930 having been first published in 1921 and it continued to be popular for many years to come.

Published by Duckworth , London. Octavo, 305 pages plus In Memoriam, with an introduction by Kathleen Scott which has numerous references to Scott’s diary where he praises Ponting’s abilities and contribution. Blue covers marked and pages carry some foxing, gift inscription on ffep. Altogether and acceptable copy and we feel nicely priced for the edition.

Of course this book is about the fateful Tera Nova expedition so its not without sadness at the end. The narrative as a whole is well written and a different perspective. The images sublime making the narrative come to life in a manner that could not be done otherwise.

Ponting essential Antarctic and photography.

$30.00

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Melanesians and Polynesians – Their Life Histories Described and Compared – George Brown – First 1910

Riviere de Sourabaya – by Sigismond Himely – from the Voyage of La Favourite – 1835

Discovery – The Quest for the Great South Land – Estensen

Journals of Expeditions in Van Diemen’s Land 1833 – John Charles Darke – Sullivan’s Cove Delicacy

Sea of Dangers – Captain Cook and His Rivals- Geoffrey Blainey

The Great White South or, With Scott in the Antarctic – Herbert G. Ponting

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