Maritime

19thC Magic Lantern Slide – Aurora Borealis

A quite striking wooden framed magic lantern slide depicting the Aurora Borealis with ship and adventurers fighting polar bears who appear rather hungry.

Manufactured by the McIntosh Battery & Optical Company Chicago circa 1890. The company was formed in 1879 and in the 1890’s changed its name to the McIntosh Electrical Co to concentrate in radio devices.

The wooden slide is 28cm by 10cm with the circular hand coloured slide 8 cm in diameter. The condition of the colouring and slide generally is excellent.

Delightful Polar Curiosity – 1890

$120.00

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The Narrative of the Honourable John Byron 1768 – The Wreck of The Wager

The Narrative of the Honourable John Byron (Commodore in a Late Expedition Round the World) Containing and Account of the Great Distresses Suffered by Himself and his Companions on the Coast of Patagonia, from the Year 1740, till their Arrival in England, 1746, With a description of St Jago de Chili, and the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants. Also a Relation of the Loss of the Wager Man of War, One of Admiral Anson’s Squadron.

Second edition published the same year as the first, 1768 in London by Baker, Leigh and Davies. Complete with frontispiece engraving of the wreck of the Wager, 257 pages in very good condition. Quarter leather over marbled paper covered boards, originally half with corner points removed. A fresh title label at some time.

Australian historian Geoffrey Ingleton’s copy with his bookplate. And, earlier the unusual bookplate of the famous Cholmondeley Library with the Case/Shelf and number reference.

Byron was midshipman aboard the Wager, one of Anson’s squadron in his voyage of circumnavigation. The ship was wrecked off the Chilean coast and the survivors who remained with Captain David Cheap were made prisoners by the Indians and turned over to the Spanish authorities. The wreck of the Wager led to major changes in British nautical law relating to shipwreck. Byron’s narrative is one of the most thrilling accounts in the language, and supplied his illustrious descendant [Lord Byron, the poet] with many particulars for the shipwreck in Don Juan.

Fundamental Anson Voyage Account – Distinguished Library Provenance

$890.00

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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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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.

$140.00

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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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Antique Maps – Moreland and Bannister

Third edition enhanced softcover edition published in 1993. Very good condition. Published by Phaidon.

Small quarto, 326 pages, numerous relevant illustrations, some in colour. A special production as would be expected from specialist publisher Phaidon.

The book starts with an image of Novae Guinea by Cornelis e Jode, Antwerp 1593 … the first map to show what is a fantasy of Australia with Lions an Dragons!

One of the better book on antique maps and map collecting. Three principal sections … Map Making; Map Makers and Map Collecting followed by a Biographical Supplement … three Appendices regarding … Editions of Ptolemy’s Geographia; Blaeu/ Jansson Maps of the English and Welsh Counties and a Historical Charts – Map Making 600BC-AD1800. Finished with a good Bibliography and Index.

A serious book on antique maps for those who want a deeper understanding

$30.00

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19thC Magic Lantern Slide – Aurora Borealis

The Narrative of the Honourable John Byron 1768 – The Wreck of The Wager

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

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

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

Antique Maps – Moreland and Bannister

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