Maritime

The Southseaman – Life-story of a Schooner – Weston Martyr

A later edition, 1949 of a book first issued in the 1920’s. Published by Blackwood, Edinburgh and London.

Octavo, 327 with frontispiece of the yacht and illustrations, mainly technical sketches throughout. Very good condition albeit some nibbling to the dust jacket crease … rare to still have the jacket though.

Joseph Weston Martyr (1885-1966) was some character. This is his first book about the design and building of a schooner yacht in the fishing port of Shelbourne Nova Scotia. The description of which should please any yachting tragic. Later in the book he sails for Bermuda and the vessel eventually is involved in rum-running … the times.

Martyr had an interesting life … ran a shipping business in New York, mined in South Africa and adventures in China and the South Pacific. He sailed in the Bermuda yacht races which inspired him to create the challenging Fastnet Race off the south west coat of England.

Martyr’s first book a bit of a classic.

$30.00

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The Mapmakers Art (Essays on the History of Maps) – Edward Lynam

There seems to be a posthumous book for every Head of the Maps Room at the British Museum.

This one from the work of Edward Lynam who preceded Skelton (see our copy of his posthumous book). Perry’s copy with his signature.

Published by the Batchworth Press, London a first edition1953. Small quarto 140 pages nicely illustrated throughout with some map images that rarely appear elsewhere. A couple of chips to the dust jacket, a very goo copy considering the age and likely use.

We like this one a lot … the angle being an early and unusual approach to map making with an aesthetic appeal. Starts with the Character of England in Maps; Period Ornament, writing and Symbols on Maps; Saxton; Flemish Engravers; William Hack and the South Sea Buccaneers [Magnificent]; Early Days in the Bahamas etc.

Finishes with a full list of books and articles by Edward Lynam

Voyager Favourite – a unique approach.

$40.00

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Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Title continues … A Record of Exploration in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas by J Kennedy Maclean. Published by Chambers Edinburgh, thick octavo, 404 pages. Magnificent pictorial boards, well illustrated with two maps of the top and the bottom. Some spotting and spine ends a bit pulled, otherwise a pretty good copy.

The pictorial boards may give the impression this was for a younger audience. The quality of the content and writing suggest the market was father and son.

Written chronologically with an introduction of “Gains and losses of Polar Enterprise” before the “Pioneers”. The search for the North-west passage and Franklin and much about his horrors. Nares and then the fatal “Jannette” an incredible story often lost in these accounts. The discovery of Franz Josef Land and the North-east Passage by Nordenskiold. Peary and the success of the North Pole after twenty years … and Cook.

In the South, Scotland’s share of the then exploration and Scott’s Discovery Expedition. Shackleton’s Farthest South (so close) and the great race for the Pole.

At the time of publication the race to the pole had just been won and the tragedy of Scott’s expedition known but not fully understood. Tributes had begun to flow.

A Voyager favourite … an obscure but relevant Polar item.

$90.00

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Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

The great Anson circumnavigation of the mid-18th century to basically steal as much Spanish gold – as possible (successful in that regard). This book based on the papers of Captain Saumarez and an essential part of the incredible story that makes up this historic adventure.

Based on the original papers of Captain Philip Saumarez on Board HMS Centurion, Lord Anson’s flagship during his circumnavigation 1740-44.

The four Saumarez logs have not been previously published or referenced. They had been lost for year until found in the 1960’s in a cardboard box along with letter and other documents at the Saumerez manor in the Channel Islands.

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1974.Large octavo, 264 pages, world map end papers showing the track of the fleet, numerous illustrations from original works, some in colour. A very good copy.

While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a Squadron of eight ships on a mission to harass the Spaniards on the west coast of South America and cut off their supplies of wealth from the Pacific.

“Returning to England in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of the gold laden Acapulco Galleon but also for the loss of all ships except Anson’s Centurion and horrific losses to disease with only 300 of the original 900 surviving.

Anson’s voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to Englishmen of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which restored national pride after an unsuccessful war against the Spaniards.”

Saumerez another perspective on Anson

$40.00

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Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

First edition published by the Nautical Publishing Company 1970. Octavo, 196 pages all in very good condition.

Chay Blyth’s first serious sailing expedition, setting off from England he was soon lost … and then got his bearings and sea legs. On south he sailed. Through the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands and to the far south and Tristan da Cunha before South Africa.

His boat was a small family cruiser, so his aspiration to cross and make the Horn had to be curtailed. Confident, he cabled his wife to join him for the return voyage … which she did.

His story won over Sir Alec Rose who provided a very supportive foreword.

Chay Blyth – first voyage and quite an adventure

$25.00

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A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

A first edition published by Heinemann, London in 1951. Octavo, 308 pages nicely illustrated and with several maps.

George Millar had already sailed the Mediterranean in the thirty-ton ketch Truant. Here in a new vessel, a sixteen-ton sloop Serica they take a leisurely sail down and around the coast of Portugal and Spain.

What might seem like an easy passage turns into a challenge; a near miss and then run down by a fishing boat. Later illness and injury puts them in danger, before coming across Riviera smugglers and the opportunity to save another man’s life of Cap Ferrat.

It’s not all easy going in the Mediterranean … but there are some luxuries for sure.

$25.00

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The Southseaman – Life-story of a Schooner – Weston Martyr

The Mapmakers Art (Essays on the History of Maps) – Edward Lynam

Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

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