Maritime

In the Wake of Bass and Flinders – Bern Cuthbertson

Self-published by Cuthbertson the author and his wife of Sand Bay. A super book.

Soft cover, 321 pages, nicely illustrated.

The story of the re-enactment on the 200 year anniversary of the voyage of Bass and Flinders in the whaleboat Elizabeth and the replica slop Norfolk. Very nicely done with a good fold out chart at the rear

200 year anniversary done and reported in style.

$55.00

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The Life of George Bass (Surgeon and Sailor of the Enlightenment) – Miriam Estensen

Fine first edition published by Allen & Unwin in 2005. Octavo, 259 pages with maps and illustrations.

So George Bass discovered the strait that carries his name. But he was more – an adventurer who lived an astonishing seafaring life until he disappeared – possibly taken prisoner in South America and taken off to work as slave labour in the silver mines.

Bass – Adventurer to the end

$45.00

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Van Diemen’s Land Revealed Editor [Bass and Flinders] – Dan Sprod

All about – Flinders and Bass and their circumnavigation of the island in the colonial sloop Norfolk in 1798-1799.

Superior work from Dan Sprod and a limited edition of 750. Published by Blubber Press in 2009. Here in fine condition.

Large octavo, 256 pages, nicely illustrated. Three charts in pocket at end as required.

Although modern this strangely is the first work dedicated to this important circumnavigation which in a sense defines Tasmanians. Other Flinders and Bass events provide support including Bass in the Tom Thumb from Sydney Cove to Western Point; Flinders to the wreck of the Sydney Cove and a facsimile of the rare Flinders pamphlet “Observations on the Coast of Van Diemen’s Land” to which the folding charts relate. Nice work.

Essential Tasmanian reference

$50.00

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Atlantic Adventure – John Groser – First Edition

This is the book about the highly controversial third London Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Rec in 1968.

A first edition published by Ward & Lock, London. Octavo, 160 pages, nicely illustrated and with two good appendices at rear – Scale Drawings of Yachts in the 1968 Race and … List of entries with helmsman, designer, builder, type, rig, size and “result”. A fine copy.

Running down the “results” column maybe you get an understanding of the drama in the book with … Steering trouble, disqualifies, taken ill, rudder trouble, unable to navigate, sank!, leak in hull, mast came loose, mast broke, sank, sank … sank.

The North Atlantic not to be underestimated.

$25.00

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Fine Carte de Visite – Sir George Henry Richards – Hydrographer to the Navy and Surveyor of British Columbia, Canada – Distinguished photographer Ernest Edwards. Circa 1865.

George Henry Richards (1820-1896) was born in Cornwall and joined the Navy in 1832. He served in Australia, New Zealand, South America and the during the First Opium War in China. He was second in command on Belcher’s ship Assistance in the search for Sir John Franklin. In 1856 he was given the command of the survey vessel Plumper and sent to the north-west Pacific to assist in the boundary negotiation with the Americans. His survey efforts were magnificent and the regional map is covered in placenames originated by Richards. He returned to England in 1864 and was made Hydrographer to the Navy. Our carte de visite was likely made soon afterwards as the photographer completed a project regarding Prominent Men of Eminence … which included also Darwin and Lyell.

The photographer Ernest Edwards (1837-1903) was, as shown on this example, working out of 30 Baker Street, London in the 1860’s. In 1869 he invented is own collotype process which he called heliotype. This example is a two tone use of collotype (you can really only tell the difference for sure under a microscope).

Size 4.1 inches by 2.5 inches in the old system (standard for a CDV)… beautiful condition.

Important photographic image of the leading Naval Surveyor and Mapmaker of British Columbia, George Henry Richards by accomplished Victorian photographer Ernest Edwards.

$80.00

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

George Bass, Surgeon an 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”.

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 … likely …tragic, making the date of his death 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 example were produced in bronze and a similar number in silver. This one is identified as number B4.

50mm in diameter with a high relief bust of Bass facing right, carrying his spyglass. On the reverse a delightful image of the whaleboat, the sloop Norfolk an the chart and route of the vessels, appropriately date.

Unusual medal celebrates the achievements of George Bass – the prestigious silver example.

SO SORRY SOLD

$280.00

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In the Wake of Bass and Flinders – Bern Cuthbertson

The Life of George Bass (Surgeon and Sailor of the Enlightenment) – Miriam Estensen

Van Diemen’s Land Revealed Editor [Bass and Flinders] – Dan Sprod

Atlantic Adventure – John Groser – First Edition

Fine Carte de Visite – Sir George Henry Richards – Hydrographer to the Navy and Surveyor of British Columbia, Canada – Distinguished photographer Ernest Edwards. Circa 1865.

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

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