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 Discovery of Norfolk Island – James Cook – 1774 Anniversary Medal 1974

A fine medal numbered 30 of an issue of only 355, on the rim.

On his second voyage to the Pacific, James Cook discovered Norfolk Island on the 10th October 1774. He named it after the Duchess of Norfolk, wife of Edward Howard the 6th Earl.

High relief medal in oxidised silver, 57mm diameter, 88gm weight.

Fine portrait of James Cook with 200th Anniversary 1774-1974 around. On the reverse a map of the island with higher regions marked in relief and a huge Norfolk Pine, one of the great attractions of the island, for ships masts. Cook’s landing point, on the north shore, is marked as is the line of latitude 29 degree south. Also a fine image of Cook’s vessel HMS Resolution. Narrative details of the discovery complete the surround.

Scarce medal for the James Cook collector, strong relief

$280.00

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Documents Relating to Anson’s Voyage Round the World 1740-1744 – Williams

Sounds like a bibliography and, there is one of some very unusual unique items, but it is much more than that.

Editor Glyndwr Williams, History Queen Mary’s College London, is also on the Council of the Navy Records Society. He spent many years compiling this excellent book.

First edition published in 1967 by the navy Records Society, London. Octavo,303 pages plus details of the Society and Members. Bound in their traditional style. Still has the original thin glassine protector which are pretty limited but it is amazing that is has survived. Perfect condition excepting some light creasing of the odd page, a printing defect. Illustrated and with a facsimile fold out of the circumnavigation World Map.

The editors tackles some specific aspects of the important famous voyage. Part I The Origins of the Voyage; Part II – Preparations and Preliminaries; Part II – the Voyage England to Juan Fernandez; Part IV The Voyage Juan Fernandez to Macao; Part V – the Voyage the Acapulco Galleon; Part Vi – the Homecoming … List of Documents etc.

Importantly, it contains the text of the manuscript journal of Lawrence Millechamp for the first time. Through this and numerous other documents the editor proves that the official account of the voyage … the magnificent volumes under the name of Richard Walter, Chaplain, had in fact been largely written by Benjamin Robins, a ghost writer for Anson himself. And, that the official account are smooth over certain issues in particular relating to the Spanish Galleon … significant Prize Monies were at stake and the story had to fit .. so to speak.

Anson’s Voyage – Expands the Knowledge and the Intrigue

$70.00

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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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By the Wind (The Voyage of the Bengairn) – Captain J Murray Lindsay

Published 1962 by Rigby, Adelaide. A first edition 238 pages with a good dust jacket. A very good copy of a hard to get and worthwhile book on proper sailing.

Surprisingly scarce and a very interesting book – the account of the brass-bound apprentice on the square-rigged Bengairn in 1915. The outward route South America across the roaring 40′s to Hobart then on the Seattle and back to Liverpool Round the Horn… and a nice Chapter on the way “the Great Highway” to Hobart.

In Hobart the young lad had a good time with the girls and was ever so close to leaving his ship … the lure of the sea prevailed.

Lots of adventure …. difficulties near the Auckland Islands, an encounter with a U-boat (it was 1915), shanghai-ing of sailors …

Special sailing from Lindsay from Apprentice to Captain

$30.00

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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 Southseaman – Life-story of a Schooner – Weston Martyr

The Discovery of Norfolk Island – James Cook – 1774 Anniversary Medal 1974

Documents Relating to Anson’s Voyage Round the World 1740-1744 – Williams

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

By the Wind (The Voyage of the Bengairn) – Captain J Murray Lindsay

19thC Magic Lantern Slide – Aurora Borealis

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