Antarctic, Arctic, Polar

The “Southern Cross” Antarctic Expedition – Sir George Newnes – September 1899 (Plus some Original Arthur Conan Doyle)

The very first article of substance published regarding what is regarded as the first Antarctic exploratory expedition of the Heroic era.

Published in the September 1899 edition of the Strand Magazine. Here bound as original described as Volume 18 in the Series … six issues in one binding July to December 1899. Large octavo, over 800 pages, illustrated extensively. The full account was not published until 1901, naturally.

This unique article occupies 11 pages and contains images from 22 original photographs.

Led by Carsten Borchgrevinck, described as an Anglo Norwegian … who in fact was living in Australia and a teacher in outback New South Wales when he earlier had got the adventure bug and had been on the Bull Whaling Expedition. As a result of that likely one of the first people to set foot on the Antarctic.

The Southern Cross expedition was essentially Borchgrevinck’s brainchild. He raised money in London through Sir George Newnes a wealthy publisher (hence this article). The whole affair incurred the wrath of the Royal Geographical Society – Markham was furious as he saw this as essentially a foreign interloper stealing the limelight (and money) from the RGS planned first Scott Expedition.

Strand deals with the preparations, voyage out, reception in Hobart (they were well received) and the voyage south and first landing. The establishment of the first ever camp and the first furious blizzards. Australian Louis Bernachhi was a participant. He and another were the first to climb to the highest point on Cape Adare soon after arrival. Bernacchi almost lost his ears to frostbite in that first great blizzard. The article finished with the Southern Cross setting off before the thick of winter sets in and the team bedding down for the first long dark winter that any man had endured. Super stuff.

Amundsen though highly of Borchgrevink but the RGS establishment continued to “cold shoulder” him. It was not until the 1930’s, after the death of Markham that they relented and awarded him their Patron’s medal. He was still alive to enjoy it.

Little know early Polar content – First on the Antarctic.

PS – As a bonus the volume includes the first publication of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Croxley Master” in three parts – complete.

SO SORRY SOLD

$170.00

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The Loneliest Mountain – The Climbing of Mt Minto, Antarctica – Lincoln Hall

First edition of the record of the first climbing of Mt Minto on Antarctica. A feat completed by a team of eleven the year before the publication of this book in 1989.

Published by Simon and Schuster, Sydney. Octavo, 232 pages, profusely illustrated, many from photographs by Jonathan Chester. Very good condition.

The narrative by Lincoln Hall is presented in journal style and is viewed by many as beautifully written. Forward by author Thomas Keneally who boldly states … “Lincoln Hall’s tale is one of the two or three best and most engrossing accounts ever written about travel in Antarctica”. We will stop there …

Incredible modern era expedition – well told.

$40.00

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Lure of the Southern Seas – The Voyages of Dumont D’Urville 1826-1840

Large perfect bound soft cover (30cm x 24cm) a good size for showing off the many illustrations from artwork created at the time and photographs of displays from the voyage collection held in France.

Published by the Historic Housed Trust of NSW in association of a exhibition held at the Sydney Museum in 2003.

Well researched and produced making an important contribution to works on the two voyages undertaken by Dumont D’Urvillle in the first half of the 19th Century.

Following and introductory chapter “Southern Discomfort” and excellent map, we gain an understanding of the man and what drove him. His voyage towards the Polar Ice; the Anthropology and “Harvest of Curiosities” and the more defined Natural History Catalogue. Some notes on the artists without whom the wonder could not have been so well revealed. Data back up in the form of routes and statistics of the Voyage are followed by the great man’s correspondence and of all things “his will” … references, bibliography.

Dumont D’Urville well presented historical account, some new information and special images.

$35.00

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A History of Antarctica – Stephen Martin

First Edition published by the State Library of N.S.W. in 1996. A substantial and well produced book. Small quarto, 272 pages nicely illustrated throughout.

Comprehensive so sort of a modern day Mills if you know the work. We particularly like the early period before the Heroic Era. Not because the latter is boring quite the opposite … juts that it is covered well in a number of place. the early stuff not so much.

Post Heroic is also well covered right up to and around the Treaty. It could all be up for grabs soon … that will be interesting. Lots of doublespeak we guess.

Antarctica – nice full, readable, smashing illustrations.

$35.00

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Armorial Book-Plates. Their Romantic Origin and Artistic Development – Signed limited edition of 300 this number 218 by the expert of all experts Neville Barnett – published in 1932

Unusual faux snake-skin binding. Excellent condition 172 pages.

With numerous book-plate illustrations with 17 tipped in originals from those of great fame (our favourite being that of Polar Explorer Douglas Mawson).

Chapters on the Origins of Armory; the Age of Chivalry; the Pageant of Heraldry; the Romance of Arms; German, French and British Book-plates the latter extensive and importantly Australian and New Zealand Armorial Book-plates.

Collectable work from the doyen of Australian Bookplates – Neville Barnett – Numbered Limited Signed edition with Mawsons bookplate.

$390.00

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Night of the White Bear – Alexander Knox – First edition 1971

An unusual one for us a novel based up in the farthest stretches of Canada with the Eskimo and some tricky goings on relating to rather hungry Polar Bears.

A first edition published by Viking in 1971. Octavo, 244 pages all in really good condition.

The writer Knox a playwright and actor spent a considerable part of his youth in the colder parts of northern Canada. The idea for the novel came when on an aeroplane joy ride over the North Pole.

Fictional but good tips on how to avoid being eaten by a Polar Bear.

$25.00

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The “Southern Cross” Antarctic Expedition – Sir George Newnes – September 1899 (Plus some Original Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Loneliest Mountain – The Climbing of Mt Minto, Antarctica – Lincoln Hall

Lure of the Southern Seas – The Voyages of Dumont D’Urville 1826-1840

A History of Antarctica – Stephen Martin

Armorial Book-Plates. Their Romantic Origin and Artistic Development – Signed limited edition of 300 this number 218 by the expert of all experts Neville Barnett – published in 1932

Night of the White Bear – Alexander Knox – First edition 1971

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