Australian Coastal Exploration and Maritime

The Tasman Map of 1644 – Mitchell Library – 1948

A staple bound booklet of 31 pages produced by the Mitchell Library in 1948 .. a historical note and description of the manuscript map held in the Mitchell.

Textured cream soft wrappers, 31 pages, with 3 reproductions of or pertaining to the map one in colour.

Excellent notes and the striking “comparison map” drawn by Geoffrey Ingleton from details provided by J Emery. A brief description of Tasman’s ships and a good write up on the map itself with excellent further references and selected bibliography at the time.

Tasman’s Map in Summary

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$30.00

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Rare Pacific Voyage Books from the Collection of David Parsons. Dampier to Cook.

Hordern House have done a number of similar works. This by far the best. Published in 2005.

English born David Parsons was executed at Corpus Christi, Oxford. He spent his adult life in the USA were applied his mathematical skills as a top actuary. The collection written up by HH was the first of two parts, the most important works e would say in chronological order up to Cook. Parsons, now gone, had decided to focus in on early Spanish/ Portuguese exploration. The proceeds from this magnificent collection would have provided a pretty healthy budget.

Octavo, unpaginated, circa 125 pages, magnificently illustrated. Contains all of the key works one would expect, often of super quality or special provenance. Very goo near fine condition.

Generally organised as follows … Dampier to Swift; The Anson Expedition (delicious); The South Pacific before Cook; The North Pacific before Cook; Cook. As always with HH an excellent description of content and relevance of each work with a helpful selection of images

Super reference a collection to envy for sure.

$65.00

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European Voyaging Towards Australia – Edited by John Hardy and Alan Frost

Octavo, 171 pages with illustrations. Soft cover but here bound in a maroon cloth covered hard binding (retaining the softcover wrapper) with gilt title to spine. A very good copy.

Derived from an international colloquium at the Chateau d‘Entrecasteaux in 1987, held as a prelude to the Australian Bicentenary.

Covers many aspects of European voyaging Australia. Different motives that prompted voyaging – whether gain, scientific curiosity, or imperial rivalry. The hardships endured by the sailors and attempts to improve the health of crews. Attitudes to the indigenous inhabitants by the Dutch, Spanish, English and French.

Interesting well researched succinct essays

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$35.00

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George Bass – Discovery of the Bass Strait – Commemorative Medal – 1968

George Bass, Surgeon and Explorer carried out two voyages to confirm the Bass Strait and the separation of Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) from mainland Australia – known affectionately in Tasmania as “The Other Island”.

First, in 1797 he set off in an open whaleboat with a crew of six. They sailed to Cape Howe at the farthest point of South-east Australia and, from there sailed west along the Gippsland coast to Western Point, at the entrance to Port Phillip. Observations of the rapid tide and long south-western swell supported his view that a large Strait lay in front of him.

In 1798 he set out again, with Matthew Flinders in the sloop Norfolk and circumnavigated Van Diemen’s Land. They visited the Derwent River which had previously been named by Captain John Hayes. On return to Sydney, Flinders promoted the naming of the Strait after Bass … the then Governor, John Hunter agreed.

Bass’s later life was adventurous and possibly … likely … tragic, making the date of his death noted on the medal questionable.

The medal was struck in 1968. It was produced by K.G. Luke & Sons, Melbourne for the Numismatic Association of Victoria. 160 examples were produced in this bronze form and a similar number in silver. 50mm in diameter, 48gms weight, with a high relief bust of Bass facing right, carrying his spyglass. On the reverse a delightful image of the whaleboat, the sloop Norfolk and the chart and route of the vessels, appropriately dated. Comes with its original blue case, with red velvet plush setting, gilt description top of lid, pop button release.

Unusual medal to celebrate the achievements of George Bass

$180.00

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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.

$55.00

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King Island Elephant Seal (Le Phoque a trompe) – Vauthier -1820

A scarce hand coloured copper engraving of the Elephant Seal “Le Phoque a trompe” named by Peron.

The Baudin expedition saw many Southern Elephant Seals around the Islands of the Bass Strait including King Island. Unfortunately, unable to defend themselves they were killed for their oil and by 1827 they were all gone from that location.

Printed on sturdy paper, 25cm by 17 cm, good use of gum arabic to strengthen the colour and provide depth. Good plate mark … a super example.

Engraved by Barreau after Vauthier and published in Paris in 1820.

Price $90.00 unframed

Rare original hand coloured King Island Elephant Seal engraving

$90.00

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The Tasman Map of 1644 – Mitchell Library – 1948

Rare Pacific Voyage Books from the Collection of David Parsons. Dampier to Cook.

European Voyaging Towards Australia – Edited by John Hardy and Alan Frost

George Bass – Discovery of the Bass Strait – Commemorative Medal – 1968

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

King Island Elephant Seal (Le Phoque a trompe) – Vauthier -1820

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