Travel & Voyages

The Friendly Arctic – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – c1927

The first UK edition c1927 of this great book by Stefansson. Imperial octavo 784 pages after preliminaries with two very good folding maps in rear pocket. A substantial volume. Very good condition albeit foxing to endpapers up to the title otherwise clean and throughout. Magnificently illustrated with 68 plates and a further 7 maps, some folding, in the body of the work.

Forward by Gilbert Grosvenor and introduction by Sir Robert Bowden setting out the origin and organisation of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-18. Records of incredible tributes of Stefansson from Greely and the last public appearance of Admiral Peary who died shortly afterwards.

Stefansson most comprehensive in his written account with many images and maps

$120.00

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[How to Build and Igloo] Arctic Manual – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – 1944

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1944. Thick octavo 556 pages after preliminaries with its dust jacket getting very scarce. Very good condition.

A special book prepared by the highly qualified Stefansson under the direction of the United Sates Army.

Prepared to provide realistic advice on how to survive when stranded in the Arctic. The book is introduced by a historical background relating to early voyagers and the seeking of the elusive North West passage. He discusses in depth the topography of the land and the nature of the seas and ice. The climate (obviously) and the physical effects of cold. Winds, gales and special aviation problems. Wildlife, pests and parasites. Shelter and the many advantages of snow houses over tents (Voyager has memorised the methods of making good snow houses as a precaution). And survival, clothing, food, health and first aid. Hunting and fishing various methods and transportation in this difficult environment.

Really the only Arctic Manual by Stefansson – You never know!

$90.00

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North West to Fortune (The Discovery of the North West Passage) – Stefansson – First UK Edition 1960

Prolific explorer and writer Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s last book on the history of solving the North West passage. A first British edition published by Allen & Unwin in 1960 … Stefansson died in 1962 at 83 years of age. Octavo, 356 pages after preliminaries, end paper maps, very good condition.

Given his exploration record and the many years spent within the Arctic Circle who better to write this book. Starting the primary objectives of Columbus and Cabot to find route west to the Far East. The first recorded note of the concept is that of Robert Thorne, merchant of Bristol who produced two papers preserved by Hackluyt one addressed to Henry VIII … “I know it to be my bounden duty to manifest this secret to your Grace, which hitherto, I suppose, has been hid”. The proof was more difficult and many lives were lost.

Stefansson’s record goes well beyond the broader list of adventurers Cook, Franklin, McClure (in search of Franklin) and John Rae and later Amundsen. He covers in detail the efforts of the Fur Traders and finally the epoch-making achievement” of the US submarine, Nautilus.

North West Passage complete by Stefansson

$60.00

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Somewhere in New Guinea – Frank Clune – First edition 1951

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1951, a first edition in pretty good condition

A companion book to Frank Clune’s “Prowling in Papua”. This time the north side and a good deal of mooching around “as he put it”. Wewak, Hagen, Madang, Markham Valley and Rabaul included.

First Edition Clune in New Guinea

$40.00

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Up from South – A Prospector in New Guinea, 1931 – 1937 – Jack O’Neal

The author Jack O’Neal prospected for gold at Edie Creek, Wau, Bulolo, Ramu and Waria. Pure Morobe goldfield adventure often in danger yet he admired the native tribesman. Based on his diaries and edited by the knowledgeable James Sinclair. Nice list of Pidgin terms for the uninitiated and curious.

Morobe Gold

$50.00

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WG Lawes of Savage Island and New Guinea – Joseph King – 1909 First Edition

Published by The Religious Tract Society London in 1909, a First Edition. Original binding with snag top of spine glued otherwise a pretty good complete copy. Gilt titles and image all bright.

388 pages with folding coloured map of PNG and 21 most interesting black and white photographs. Lawes (1839-1907) went to Niue in 1861 for 11 years before then serving in Papua New Guinea in and around Port Moresby for 32 years from 1874. A tough man who worked with Chalmers met Bully Hayes and built the first church and school in Port Moresby.

Pioneering Missionary in PNG – Cornerstone PNG

$120.00

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The Friendly Arctic – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – c1927

[How to Build and Igloo] Arctic Manual – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – 1944

North West to Fortune (The Discovery of the North West Passage) – Stefansson – First UK Edition 1960

Somewhere in New Guinea – Frank Clune – First edition 1951

Up from South – A Prospector in New Guinea, 1931 – 1937 – Jack O’Neal

WG Lawes of Savage Island and New Guinea – Joseph King – 1909 First Edition

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