Maps | Archive | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Journals of Expeditions into Central Australia and Overland from Adelaide to King George’s Sound in the years 1840-1 in 2 Volumes – John Eyre

Fundamental Australian overland exploration.

Published by the Libraries Board of South Australia 1964. Facsimile reprint of the 1845 edition – Australiana Facsimile number 7 – only 500 copes printed.

two volumes thick octavo, xviii, 448, 512 pages light brown/ caramel colour with gilt lettering. Two folding maps in pocket at rear. One map of the whole of Australia demonstrating all of Eyre’s wanderings including earlier expeditions east into New South wales. The large folding map relating to this expedition is close to a metre wide so we have scanned it in three sections and still did not quite get the depth in … it really is special and makes the understanding of the narrative very clear. Very good and maps in great condition.

Eyre attempted to set up an overland route from Adelaide to the Swan River. After great hardships, with his second on charge being killed by Aborigines, and losing some of the supplies, the party arrived at Albany in 1841.

Heavy books so our postage allowance will not cover a single item Overseas purchase.

Eyre’s Travels Across Australia … required reading for any Australia(n) Historian

$120.00

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Van Dieman’s Land – Cartographer John Dower – 1836

An original map of Tasmania or Van-Diemans Land, drawn and engraved by John Dower published in London in the 1830’s. Note the misspelling “Dieman’s”. This is a very early version of the Dower map published by Orr & Smith of Paternoster Row, London. Engraved area 26cm by 21cm. Very good condition, clean and bright colouring. Refer Tooley Printed Maps of Tasmania number 196.

This map was first published in 1831. In this updated version Lake St Clair is added. And bottom left the following note … Population 31,718; Capitol(sic) Hobart Town; The estimated average importation of Convicts into Van Dieman’s Land is 1,709 per Annum.

Much of the terrain to the west half remains unexplored. A number of interesting features can be found in the detail. Above the “rocky and barren shore” below Rocky Point in the west we see “White topped mountains apparently granite”, north of which are “Higher and less barren hills”. Travelling north from Hobart Town are a string of pubs … The Stokell Inn, Crown Inn, Swan Inn, Ransome Inn, Lovely Bank Inn, New Inn, Sorrell Spring Inn, Stockers In and on to Launceston. Whilst known high ground is shown with hachures certain peaks are estimated … Ben Lomond 4,200 feet, Peak of Teneriffe 4,500 feet, interestingly not Mt Wellington.

John Dower (1791-1847) was a quality map maker, print seller and publisher based in London. He worked with many prominent map makers of the time including Weller, Cassell, Bacon and Petermann.

Price $190.00 unframed

Earlier scarce Dower Map of Tasmania c1836

$190.00

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The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

A complete issue in original blue wrappers pages 609 – 680, a complete monthly issue with two large folding maps at rear.

Includes an important article reading the route Hannibal took over the Alps, always a matter subject to academic argument.

Also includes important African exploration … the Congo by Colonel Francis de Winton; Exploration of the Tributaries of the Congo between Leopoldville and Stanley Falls George Grenfell and the Last German Expedition of 1884-1886.

Armed with the newest geographical information from contemporary expeditions into the Alps, Freshfield presents theories and brings clarity for historians and geographers into historic events which have plagued mankind since the time of Polybius and Livy. A most captivating report examining the perplexing controversy of Hannibal’s passage over the Alps, and the victories he achieved in the name of Carthage. Accompanied by an exceptional fold-out colour map, this mountaineering report is one of the earliest reports that takes into account the mysteries of the Alps, and its treacherous passes, with regards to Hannibal’s daring.

Hannibal, (247 B.C. – 182 B.C.), was a Carthaginian General, an implacable and formidable enemy of Rome. Although knowledge of him is based primarily on the reports of his enemies, Hannibal appears to have been both just and merciful. He is renowned for his tactical genius. With a relatively small army of select troops, Hannibal set out to invade Italy by the little-known overland route. He fought his way over the Pyrenees and reached the Rhône River before the Romans could block his crossing, moved up the valley to avoid their army, and crossed the Alps. This crossing of the Alps, with elephants and a full baggage train, is one of the remarkable feats of military history. Which pass he used is unknown; some scholars believe it was the Mont Genèvre or the Little St. Bernard.

$90.00

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The Voyage of the Brig Mercury – Including Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land

Full title … Observations and Remarks made during a Voyage to the Islands of Tenerife, Amsterdam, Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land; Otaheite, Sandwich Islands, Owhyhee, the Fox Islands on the North West Coast of America, Tinian, and then to Canton, in the Brig Mercury, Commanded by John Henry Cox …

Illustrated with a Sketch of the Island of Amsterdam, a Plan of Oyster Harbour at the Maria Islands, with some views of the Land; a Curious Medal; and a Club accurately engraved.

Originally published for the author Lieutenant George Mortimer of the Marines, T Cadell in the Strand et al. in 1792.

This fine facsimile published by Israel, Amsterdam in 1975. Small quarto, 73 pages with the charts faithfully reproduced. A clean crisp copy.

The original account of this voyage difficult near impossible to obtain. Mortimer suggests that the Voyage was chiefly undertaken from motives of curiosity by Mr Cox, the fur trade on the North West Coast of America was the ultimate objective.

Mortimer’s narrative is a pleasing and easily read account. The visit to Amsterdam Island well to the South in the Indian Ocean, nearly Antarctic, is important to cold weather island enthusiasts. Cox had planned to call in at Adventure Bay in Van Diemen’s Land but missed it and ended up at Maria’s Island … he named Oyster Bay and the charts produced is of historical value. The progression across the Pacific to the North west Coast of America has unique elements and interesting encounters with Russians in the locale.

Mortimer on Cox’s Voyage .. important Tasmanian content

$60.00

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South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

An original hand coloured engraving using the stipple technique published as part of the “Dictionniare des Sciences Naturelles” by Dumont de Saint-Croix published in Paris c1820’s. Engraved by Stranhi after an image by Pretre.

At the time the Aguti (Agouti) and Paca were thought to be of the same family group … not so now .. they have different toe arrangements etc.

They are however, both herbivorous rodents and among the largest in the world.

The Paca can achieve a weight of 14kg on a good diet and is the more attractive with its sides patterned with spots and stripes. There are two distinct types … the lowland variety cab be found all the way from Northern Argentina to Mexico. A smaller Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Paramo grasslands.

The Agouti is generally a smaller animal weighing in around 4 kgs. They are pretty shy compared with the Paca and pretty scared of humanoids. They prevail over much of the middle and north of South America and in the West Indies.

Price $160.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style ….

South American Rodents – rather cute – and large

$160.00

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Map of Bengal – Petrus Bertius – 1602

An original and delightful miniature copper engraved map of “Bengala” by the great geographer Bertius published in the Latin edition of his miniature atlas of 1602. The engraving were carried out by Jocodus Hondius.

The decorative map show the Bay of Bengal the main towns, surrounding hills and the rivers coming down to the delta including the sacred River Ganges. A special little map fro lover of the region.

Price $90.00 unframed or $190.00 framed in typical Voyager style with lavish gilt surround

The Mystery of Bengal Over 400 Year old

$90.00

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Journals of Expeditions into Central Australia and Overland from Adelaide to King George’s Sound in the years 1840-1 in 2 Volumes – John Eyre

Van Dieman’s Land – Cartographer John Dower – 1836

The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

The Voyage of the Brig Mercury – Including Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land

South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

Map of Bengal – Petrus Bertius – 1602

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