Non-fiction

Original 400 plus Year of Map of Tercera [The island of Terceira in the Azores] – Petrus Bertius – 1616

An original copper engraved miniature map by the great Petrus Bertius [1565-1629]. Published in the 1616 edition of the Tabularun Geograpicarum – the map engravings were executed by Jodocus Hondius Jnr who was related to Bertius.

Beautifully detailed, nicely coloured and embellished map with square rigged ship and sea monster. Numerous place names, mountains, rivers and vineyards, scale and compass and cartouche based around local produce. Nice hatching in the ocean areas. As you can see fine condition.

Framed approx. 30 cm by 25 cm – Map engraved area approx. 15 cm by 12 cm.

Framed in Voyager miniature map style for $290.00 or the map itself for $150.00

Geoffrey King the miniature map authority regarded these maps to be the most beautiful miniature maps ever made.

$150.00

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Vacuum Pump with Dome – Griffin and Tatlock c 1930 – Super Example

A very good working example of a vacuum hand pump, complete with glass dome from notable maker Griffin and Tatlock [a design by John Griffin]

Nice oak handle, the brass pump body retains its original lacquer, valve moves freely and pumps seals nicely. The glass dome with bell top handle is ground for contact with the pump base plate [in operation this would be grease/ vaseline sealed. There is a small chip to the inside rim but not impinging on the “sealability” of the instrument.

Carries the Griffin and Tatlock branding plaque. We can date this to around 1930 as John Griffin and sons merged with the distinguished Scottish form Baird and Tatlock circa 1925.

Dimensions approx. – 40 cm long 30 cm high and 18 cm wide. Not really suitable for overseas and will require a postage supplement dependent on buyer location.

Rare complete and working a genuine sucker.

$440.00

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The Story of the Guides – Col G.J. Younghusband C.B. – First Edition 1908

First edition of this important record by George the older brother of Francis both adventurers and military men of quality [as where most of their manly relatives].

Published by McMillan and Co, London in 1908. Octavo, 207 pages, illustrated throughout. Original red cloth covered boards blind lines and embossed to front and spine in gilt. Some age although a very clean copy away from the ends.

Harry Lumsden formed the guides – his idea and training methods [we are talking military here not “boy scouts”]. They were involved in much frontier fighting … around Mooltan and the fight against Ganda Singh’s forces; then, the capture of the Fort of Gorindghar; the Great March on Delhi; the Afghan War 1878-80; Malkland in 1897.

Withing this history the Massacre of the Guides at Kabul [Seventy men against thousands] and The Relief of Chitral two very contrasting stories.

George Younghusband intimate with the history

$120.00

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The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836 – Edited, introductions and Notes by Charles Darwin

Originally published by Smith and Elder in parts from 1839-1843. Considered a superb example of scientific publishing.

This is the three-volume facsimile published by Nova Pacifica, Wellington, New Zealand in 1980. Til then the only reproduction and even now the standout in terms of quality.

Limited to 750 copies. Three volumes quarto, 34 cm by 26 cm. Original quarter blue leather binding with salmon buckram covered boards. Separate contrasting title labels and gilt to spine, marbled end papers. Various pagination, complete, illustrated in colour and black and white including tipped in plates. A very good set. Very heavy may require a postage supplement especially Overseas.

Volume one comprises Fossil Mammalia by Richard Owen [part 1] and Mammalia by George R Waterhouse [part 2]. Volume two comprises Birds by John Gould [part 3] and Anatomical Appendix by T.C. Eyton. Volume three contains Fish by Leonard Jenyns [part 4] and Reptiles by Thomas Bell [part 5]

Who can afford the original? This super facsimile set the best alternative.

$790.00

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From the Niger to the Nile – Lieutenant Boyd Alexander – First Edition – Two Volumes 1907

Published by Edward Arnold, London first and second impressions of the first edition of a two-volume set. Very nice condition in the original red cloth covered boards with gilt titling.

Large octavo, xvi, 358 pages and 420 pages with numerous illustrations and maps, three folding. A little fading to spines.

Heavy items which may require overseas postage supplement to our standard charge.

An uncommon set and fundamental exploration account particularly relating to the area around Lake Chad.

The expedition was originally designed to survey the northern parts of Nigeria and prove that Africa could be travelled west to east using the available natural waterways. Alexander was accompanied by his brother Claud, Captain G.B. Gosling, and a Portuguese explorer collector Jose Lopes. They set off in February 1904 from the mouth of the Niger travelling upriver to Lokoja. A survey was then completed of the Murchison Range. Claud died of typhoid. Alexander and Gosling continued on to explore Lake Chad, circling and charting the entire body. In June 1906 Gosling died of blackwater fever. Alexander pressed on with Lopes, and eventually reached the Nile later in 1906. Returning to England he received the highest award in exploration … The Founder’s Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. He completed these volumes partly in honour of his brother.

The story does not finish there. Alexander returned to Africa with Lopes in 1909, visiting his brother’s grave and continuing to Ouadai, east of Lake Chad and then on to Nyeri, in modern day Kenya where he was killed in a dispute with locals. His body was recovered by French soldiers, taken back, and buried next to his brother.

Boyd Alexander across Africa via Lake Chad with quite some difficulty.

$360.00

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Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell [With Help from Norman Ellison] – First Edition 1936

An extremely rare first edition of Shark Hunter Norman Caldwell’s classic book.

Written in conjunction with Norman Ellison. Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1936.

Thick octavo, 282 pages, illustrated throughout with images from original photographs, diagrams of shark catching techniques, end paper maps. Missing the original dust jacket but rare as is in original green cloth covered binding. Some foxing as usual given nature of paper.

Caldwell could see money in catching sharks – his hunting ground was in Queensland between Repulse Bay and Gloucester Island taking in the Whitsundays.

Obviously if you don’t have the appetite for shark hunting this is not the book for you. Caldwell also went after and caught “big Fish” other than sharks and Rays and massive Grouper Fish were within his aim.

The book has taken on almost legendary status and sought after by those with a bit of Hemingway and Lee Marvin in them.

Caldwell’s Fangs one for the game fisherman

$190.00

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Original 400 plus Year of Map of Tercera [The island of Terceira in the Azores] – Petrus Bertius – 1616

Vacuum Pump with Dome – Griffin and Tatlock c 1930 – Super Example

The Story of the Guides – Col G.J. Younghusband C.B. – First Edition 1908

The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836 – Edited, introductions and Notes by Charles Darwin

From the Niger to the Nile – Lieutenant Boyd Alexander – First Edition – Two Volumes 1907

Fangs of the Sea – Norman Caldwell [With Help from Norman Ellison] – First Edition 1936

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