Military and Naval - pre 20th Century | Archive | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Atomic Energy for Military Purposes [the “official” book about the making of the first Atomic Bomb] – Henry Smyth – 1945

Full text of the Official Report … subtitled A General Account of the Scientific Research and Technical Development That Went into the Making of Atomic Bombs.

This is the new and enlarged edition, which includes statements by the British and Canadian Governments.

Not everyone’s cup of tea. For scientists particularly physicists and physical chemists a startlingly frank book about the Manhattan Project and what went on about, and into the making of, the first atomic weapon.

Published by the Princeton University Press in 1945, described as a fifth printing. Paper covered octavo, 308 (previously 264) pages, with photographs of the facilities and the first boom. The front covered has been repaired at the hinge, otherwise a pretty good copy.

The back history is well laid out, the fundamental science and the challenges. The simplicity of “critical mass” has always amazed Voyager. But it was the speed that CM is attained that was the key before all sorts of other leakages could take place in that extended micro-second. Typical of what can be achieved during wartime. The management (laboratory) structure … the heads of each, all famous scientists. Voyager hero, British Nobel Prize Winner, James “Neutron” Chadwick spent three years there and is recognised here as making a fundamental contribution.

Oppenheimer is the first name that comes to most. His organisational ability could not be questioned. The speed at which the first device was manufactured after the science was decided upon is nothing mor than remarkable. On the night of the first test they were delayed by a significant lightening storm … Oppenheimer went out into the darkness and at the first sight of stars declared the experiment on …

The First Atomic Bomb – the whole official story – like it or not … it makes interesting scientific and historical reading.

$50.00

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Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

This is a second edition, with important amendments and additions [including a map] of respected hard to find, book by Chandra Gupta. Octavo, 239 pages, published by Allied – Bombay etc. in 1964.

This book is concerned with the fall of the Maratha power in the early years of the nineteenth century. Baji Rao II was the very last of the Peshwas who was compelled to enter into a subordinate alliance with the East India Company. He tried to address the situation but after the last Maratha War he surrendered all his power in return for the security of a pension.

Baji Roa II and the powerful East India Company

$40.00

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Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes Complete

Published by the Folio Society in 1982. Three volumes in original slipcase. Octavo, 292,348 and 262 pages. Blue cloth covered bindings decorated in red and gold. A super looking production.

Introductions and explanations by experts Sue Bradbury and Kevin Crossley-Holand and nice lino-cuts by Edward Bawden.

The Chronicles comprise … The Tale of King Arthur; Sir Tristam de Lyonesse and The Morte D’Arthur.

The legendary tales were first put down in one place by George of Monmouth in the early thirteen century. In the fifteenth century Sir Thomas Malory produced the definitive work completed in 1470, This was at the time Caxton really got going with his printing press so Malory’s work was destined to be promoted and preserved. Naturally, the language and expression of Malory’s writing reflects the period and “modern” writers have edited the text to be readable nowadays.

What would King Arthur think of a boxed set?

$90.00

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The Struggle For Sea Power- A Naval History of American Independence – Sam Willis

A substantial piece of work by Wills on this important naval period for all involved.

Published by Atlantic Books, London in 2015. Thick Royal octavo, 573 pages, heavily illustrated including important charts. Fine condition – hard to find in Australia.

The American Revolution was a naval war of immense scope and variety – engagements took place on five ocean – involving the Americans, British, French, Spanish, Dutch and the Russians …

All about the War of Independence at sea.

$50.00

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WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

Captain Kenneth Mills McCracken was a member of the Royal Field Artillery attached to the Royal Flying Corps. His service record covered the entire of WWI 1914-1918 so likely one of the few that survived his dangerous role.

Born in 1895 and from Newcastle-Upon Tyne he was a medical student at Edinburgh University when World War One broke out.

The Royal Flying Corp was the air arm of the British Army at the start of the war and it was not until 1918 that it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to become the Royal Air Force.

McCracken’s record shows that he was skilled in artillery observation; so, he was likely an aerial observer or photographer. At the beginning of the war their photographic efforts were very primitive almost hopeless until 1915. By 1918 they could make decent images from 15,000 feet and had a team of 3,000 people analysing the results. The Royal Flying Corp didn’t get into aerial combat until the later part of the war.

The item is in great condition. The full leather casing is 25cm by 10cm, stitching perfect – nicely embossed with McCracken’s details. The copper thermos has a ding but is a solid actually useable item. The screw on top is undamaged and goes on and off easily.

Special WWI Item in great condition with interesting provenance

$290.00

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The Charge of the Light Brigade – Alfred Lord Tennyson

The most unusual and dramatic presentation of this high energy poem about the “Charge of the Light Brigade” against the Russian Batteries at Balaclava on 25th October 1854. It didn’t go well.

Landscape presentation with this unusual London Evening Star cover.

Published by Golden Press New York in collaboration with Paul Hamlyn in London in 1964. Unpaginated but twenty plus pages of verse strikingly illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen probably America’s best ever illustrators of book for young people … this one with a much more adult tone .. a work of art really.

Tennyson and his “Charge” best presentation

$40.00

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Military and Naval – pre 20th Century

Atomic Energy for Military Purposes [the “official” book about the making of the first Atomic Bomb] – Henry Smyth – 1945

Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes Complete

The Struggle For Sea Power- A Naval History of American Independence – Sam Willis

WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

The Charge of the Light Brigade – Alfred Lord Tennyson

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