Anthropology

Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

Scarce, one of the prized early New Guinea accounts. Published by Sampson Low, London 1883 a first edition.

Octavo, 283 pages including vocabulary of words. 5 full page plates and 29 illustrations in the text plus four pages with illustrations on New Britain sign language. Folding sketch survey of the North-east Portion of New Britain by the author. A little ribbing to the cloth on the front board and age toning near the ends otherwise a very good copy.

The book begins with the selection of an appropriate vessel, the ketch Star of the preparation and departure from Sydney. An eventful voyage with waterspouts, recounting the tragedy of Lizard Island (gruesome) … remarkable whirlpool near the Duke of York Islands. Reaching Matupi Island. Visiting George Brown first white in the region. Port Hunter natives, first signs of cannibalism … the Duk-duk. To Kininigunun and a native battle. To Spacious Bay with Brown and more hostilities, full on volcanic eruption. The murder of the teachers, forced to fight, saving the native women. Turtle catching and wife hunting .. exploration of the interior … natives board vessel and destroy everything.

We lost track of how many times Powell escaped from danger …

Wilfred Powell early adventures in New Britain

$190.00

Updating cart…

Hokule’a The Way to Tahiti – Ben Finney.

Published by Dodd. Mead & Co, New York a first edition 1979. Octavo, 310 pages with numerous illustrations from photographs as well as charts, diagrams drawings etc.

A fine first edition of Professor Ben Finney’s book … about the re-construction of an ancient double-hull Polynesian canoe to sail and prove the theory of early navigation between Hawaii and Tahiti. An exercise that proved very difficult with cultural and personal arguments getting in the way at almost every step. Makes for interesting reading as does the account of the successful voyage .. written well and nicely illustrated.

Professor Ben Finney (1933-2017) was pretty remarkable man. Professor of Anthropology who held positions at a number of Universities including the ANU. He spent most of his life in Hawaii and regarded as the world’s greatest authority on surfing history … the sport of Hawaiian Kings.

Maritime History Proven by Ben Finney

$35.00

Updating cart…

In Unknown New Guinea – W.J.V. Saville (Intro Malinowski) – First Edition 1926

Longer title explains … In Unknown New Guinea – A Record of Twenty-Five Years of Personal Observation & Experience Amongst the Interesting People of an Almost Unknown Part of the Vast Island & a Description of Their Manners & Customs, Occupations in Peace & Method of Warfare, Their Secret Rites & Public Ceremonies.

Published by Seeley, London in 1926 a first edition.

Thick octavo, 316 pages and sixty very good illustrations mainly from period photographs, folding map near rear. Original red cloth covered binding with the striking gilt design to the front. Very good if not better condition.

A superb work based the authors lengthy experiences on and around Mailu Island. To have the introduction written by the great anthropologist of the era Bronislaw Malinowski is testament to its quality and importance.

Rare early New Guinea Anthropology

$140.00

Updating cart…

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

$160.00

Updating cart…

Fiji and The Fijians (1835-1856) – G.C. Henderson

A first edition on Henderson’s book on Fiji and the Fijians a volume published to elucidate the Journal of Rev Thomas Williams who has spent the period !840-1853 as a Missionary in Fiji. Williams being regraded as the principal authority on the state if society among Fijians when European first came upon them.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1931.

Large octavo, 33 pages nicely illustrated throughout with images from early engravings, early photographs and charts. Very good condition and with the author’s “Compliments”’ stamp on the end paper ad his manuscript note “To dear old Jeff – from the Author”

A very useful Preface sets the scene and purpose for the book. The first chapter proper refers to the “Mitchellian Manuscripts” the Williams Journal and paper held at the Mitchell … and other primary materials held elsewhere including in the UK. Very good chapters on the Discovery of Fiji … the Duff, James cook and often overlooked Bellingshausen among them. The Bellingshausen journals had yet to be translated to English at the date of this book. The work then moves on to a description of the archipelago, centres of interest and the people. Mission work, medical practices and a chapter on Ono-I-Lau first visited by Calvert. Language and literature etc etc.

Well written account regarding an important historical period. A very good copy.

$120.00

Updating cart…

An Introduction to Social Anthropology – Ralph Piddington – Two Volumes

Two volumes published by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh 1957. Octavo, 442 pages and 443 to 819 pages both after preliminaries and including a useful index. No dust jacket but very good condition. Illustrated mainly with tables and diagrams assisting the text.

Ralph Piddington was Professor of Anthropology at Auckland University and his “Introduction” is now regarded as a modern classic in anthropology.

For some reason this book set is rarely found as a pair which may explain the confusing publishing date with one volume 1963 and the other 1957 although they look a perfect pair.

Volume I covers – primitive culture; a cook’s Tour of Africa and America, and Asia and Oceania (includes Australia); social organisation; cultural analysis; food, wealth, primitive law, religion and magic.

Volume II deals in part with field work, contact and trends. Both nicely illustrated with appropriate photographs and competent diagrams and charts of a high standard.

Rare as a pair – Piddington on People

$40.00

Updating cart…

Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

Hokule’a The Way to Tahiti – Ben Finney.

In Unknown New Guinea – W.J.V. Saville (Intro Malinowski) – First Edition 1926

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

Fiji and The Fijians (1835-1856) – G.C. Henderson

An Introduction to Social Anthropology – Ralph Piddington – Two Volumes

Product Categories