Antarctic, Arctic, Polar

Shapes on the Wind [An Autobiography] – David Lewis

First edition paperback (only form) published by Harper, Australia in 2000. 258 pages with numerous illustrations from black and white and coloured photographs … some beauties. A very good, like new copy.

David Lewis was born in England in 1917 and emigrated to New Zealand at an early age where his adventures started soon afterwards. He died two years after completing this autobiography having moved to Gympie in Queensland. There were many aspects to his life … sailing was in his blood. Famous for his Pacific voyages in an attempt to explain Polynesian migration and his Antarctic adventures in the Ice Bird and then the Solo.

The quote from the cover – Sir Peter Blake “It [This Book] may encourage You to Change Your Life” is worth repeating as well as Lewis’s final words “PS. Am looking for a sound little cruising yacht, very cheap. Any offers?”

David Lewis a life we can only wish for …

SO SORRY SOLD

$30.00

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Living on the Edge – Our Personal Antarctic Story – Yvonne Claypole

First edition paperback (only form) published by Harper, Australia in 2001.Decorated covers. 262 pages, nice real photographs of goings on and the usual map. Surprisingly scarce and in great condition.

The story of adventurous couple Yvonne and Jim Claypole who gave up the quiet life in Melbourne to live in “Gadget Hut” nearby Mawson’s Hut, Cape Denison for a full year. They managed scientific readings from Mawson’s Hut during the period.

At 3.6 metres by 2.4 metres, Gadget Hut is no Hilton. Minus 33 Degrees in the “Dunny” called for swift action. Their winter boredom nearly got to them but cigars, fruit and the US papers from a passing US Military Scientist helped. A delightful and at times chilling narrative.

Would you feel safe at Gadget Hut? … maybe the place to be!

$25.00

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The Siege of the South Pole – The Story of Antarctic Exploration – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1905

A First Edition published 1905 by Alston Rivers, London. This is Hugh Robert Mill’s cornerstone book on the exploration of the Antarctic from Cook to the first Heroic era Expeditions. It provides a well written, balanced and chronological account of events to that date.

Rare in the original decorated green cloth covered binding. Condition pretty good bar some fading to the spine and a mark to the rear board. Internally really quite bright and crisp. Carries the ownership inscription of J. H. Shackleton Bailey most likely the Rev John Henry Shackleton Bailey who was Chaplain in the Royal Navy at the time.

In our opinion this is the book relating to pre-1905 antarctic exploration. Starting with the quest to find the Great South Land. The achievements of James Cook. The American Sealers. Bellinghshausen, Weddell, the Enderby Brothers, Dumont D’Urville, Wilkes, James Clark Ross, the Challenger Expedition, Gerlache, Bruce and the Scotia etc.

Importantly, the large folding map (86cm by 76cm) which is often missing from the book due to its size and interest is present and in very good condition … the best we have seen. Some book robbers remove this map and sell it for more than the price we have on this copy! Naughty.

Important Antarctic Book that “bookends” the Heroic era very nicely – distinguished relevant author. A must have for Polar/Antarctic serious.

$290.00

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Australia and the Antarctic – The John Murtagh Macrossan Lecture – 1960 – Phillip Law

Phillip Law (1912-2010) was born at Tallangalta and educated at Hamilton, Ballarat and then Melbourne University where he achieved an MSc in Physics. During WWII he wished to join the RAAF but was persuaded to stay at Melbourne University working on weapons research.

His first trip to the Antarctic was in 1947 and from 1949 to 1966 he was Director of ANARE, heading a total of 23 voyages and expeditions. Over the period over 5,000 kms of Antarctic coastline was surveyed and much inland. The Mawson, Davis and Casey Stations were established.

A super lecture nicely presented here in the usual Macrossan Lecture style. Octavo, 22 pages, illustrated with charts and images from photographs. Law describes the challenges and achievements during his involvement to date … super detail in such a succinct format.

Distinguished writer, historian, bibliophile Geoffrey Ingleton’s copy with his bookplate. A very clean crisp copy.

Scarce Antarctic Ephemera from Phillip Law

$55.00

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Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

A first edition published by Allen Lane, London in 1982.

Richard Adams, author of Watership Down struck up a friendship with Ronald Lockley author of The Private Life of the Rabbit whilst researching for Watership. This friendship led to making a full Antarctic voyage on the Linblad Explorer from Tierra del Fuego to Stewart Island of South Island New Zealand.

As would be expected an observant and well written narrative with a super selection of photograph’s taken on the voyage by Peter Hirst-Smith … well he did take three thousand from which to make the selection.

Small quarto, 160 pages, numerous illustrations from photographs, nice chart etc …a very good copy.

Adams and Lockley in the Antarctic and not a rabbit in sight.

$40.00

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In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

Sir John Franklin’s expedition left England in 1845 in search of the northwest passage. Three years later HMS Plover was the first to mount what would be many expeditions in search of the lost crew of the Erebus and Terror.

A Hakluyt Society publication in two octavo volumes published in 1988. 584 pages in total heavily illustrated and in fine as if new condition. There is a super large scale folding map on the Western Esquimaux by Simpson which we have difficulty scanning nicely because of its size.

Of further interest is that this expedition approached from the west whereas analysis of the search for Franklin has tended to focus on eastern approaches. The heart of this book is based on the journals of Captain Rochfort Maguire and it represents the earliest account of sustained contact with the Eskimos of northern Alaska. A detailed introduction regarding the history, strategy and logistics of the search and the conclusion supplemented by other accounts of Dr John Simpson who participated in a five boat expedition from Point Barrow.

Search for Franklin – First from the West

$65.00

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Shapes on the Wind [An Autobiography] – David Lewis

Living on the Edge – Our Personal Antarctic Story – Yvonne Claypole

The Siege of the South Pole – The Story of Antarctic Exploration – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1905

Australia and the Antarctic – The John Murtagh Macrossan Lecture – 1960 – Phillip Law

Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

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