Non-fiction

Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

A first edition published by Allen Lane, London in 1982.

Richard Adams, author of Watership Down struck up a friendship with Ronald Lockley author of The Private Life of the Rabbit whilst researching for Watership. This friendship led to making a full Antarctic voyage on the Linblad Explorer from Tierra del Fuego to Stewart Island of South Island New Zealand.

As would be expected an observant and well written narrative with a super selection of photograph’s taken on the voyage by Peter Hirst-Smith … well he did take three thousand from which to make the selection.

Small quarto, 160 pages, numerous illustrations from photographs, nice chart etc …a very good copy.

Adams and Lockley in the Antarctic and not a rabbit in sight.

$40.00

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The Long Way – Bernard Moitessier – First English Edition 1974

First English edition published by Adlard Coles in 1974, after the French edition of 1971. Translated by William Radamor.

Octavo, 252 pages, illustrated from photographs, sketches of riggings etc, numerous charts of tracks. Super condition very good dust jacket.

Sought after account of the enigmatic Moitessier … has anyone sailed further ..we do not think so ..

Moitessier’s story all began as a participant in the single-handed round the world yacht race, the Golden Globe race, of 1968. Almost done and technically in the lead, whilst in the South Atlantic for a second time, instead of returning to Plymouth he sailed on along his original course returning to the Pacific. He then made his way to Tahiti .. Little was known as to his motivation until this book …

Bernard Moitessier – A special man and a special sailing adventure unlikely to be repeated.

$90.00

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Traite des Bandages et Appareils a l’Usage des Chirurgiens Armees – J.B.J. Thillaye – 1809

Jean Baptiste Jacques Thillaye was born at Rouen in 1752 he died at Paris in 1822. He became a leading French physician, surgeon in chief at the recently founded Hospital St Antoine and professor of anatomy at the College of Medicine.

This is a second edition of his rare work on bandaging, splints and other accoutrements helpful to surgeons particularly in the French army. Published by Crochard, Paris in 1809.

Original or contemporary binding of half leather over marbled paper covered boards. Gilt line compartments to spine with separate gilt title label. Octavo, xiv, 356 pages, 357-366 (Table of Plates), 367-379 (Table of Contents), errata, followed by nine folding copper engraved plates of some quality. Very good condition, super clean internally.

French medical rarity now two hundred years old

$180.00

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An Essay on the Ancient and Modern Use of Armories; Shewing Their Origin, Definition, and Division of them into their several Species. The Method of Composing them, and Marshalling many Coats together in one Shield. Alexander Nisbet – First Edition 1718 – Nice Item

Title continues … Illustrated by many Examples and Sculptures of the Armorial Ensigns of Noble Families in this and other Nations … To which is added, An Index explaining the Terms of Blazon made use of in this Essay.

First Edition and scarce. Printed by William Adams Jnr for James MackEuen (to be sold at his shop), Edinburgh 1718.

Small quarto, 224 pages preceded by introductions and subscribers list. With seven folding plates of multiple images of arms, and the aforementioned Index of Terms. Contains a detailed account of the reigns of British Royalty and the origins of their arms. Bound in original full calf in very good condition. Internally, very light browning and signs of old worming long gone. The quality and the condition of the copper engraved plates is something special.

Scottish historian Alexander Nisbet’s works on heraldry are considered the best on the subject.

Nisbet the Authority and an early First Edition of his “Essay on Heraldry”

$290.00

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In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

Sir John Franklin’s expedition left England in 1845 in search of the northwest passage. Three years later HMS Plover was the first to mount what would be many expeditions in search of the lost crew of the Erebus and Terror.

A Hakluyt Society publication in two octavo volumes published in 1988. 584 pages in total heavily illustrated and in fine as if new condition. There is a super large scale folding map on the Western Esquimaux by Simpson which we have difficulty scanning nicely because of its size.

Of further interest is that this expedition approached from the west whereas analysis of the search for Franklin has tended to focus on eastern approaches. The heart of this book is based on the journals of Captain Rochfort Maguire and it represents the earliest account of sustained contact with the Eskimos of northern Alaska. A detailed introduction regarding the history, strategy and logistics of the search and the conclusion supplemented by other accounts of Dr John Simpson who participated in a five boat expedition from Point Barrow.

Search for Franklin – First from the West

$65.00

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Mawson’s Antarctic Diaries & Remembering Sir Douglas Mawson – Audio Collection

A audio tape (cassette) set of six – representing a five part radio series produced with the assistance of the University of Adelaide Foundation.

Surely a Polar Exploration antique of the future. The programs were produced in the studios of Radio 5UV at the University of Adelaide and broadcast in October 1990. The box set of tapes was produced in 1991.

After an introductory tape we have two tapes covering the AAE expedition and two for the later BANZARE expedition … a final tape “Remembering Sir Douglas Mawson”. The producer and narrator was Helen Oliver with Colin Elix being the voice of Mawson. A distinguished list of contributors includes Fred and Eleanor Jacka who compiled the diaries, Eric Rudd, Patrick Quilty and may others.

Anyone struggling to find a cassette player … get in touch!

An unusual yet special item of Mawson memorabilia.

$150.00

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Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

The Long Way – Bernard Moitessier – First English Edition 1974

Traite des Bandages et Appareils a l’Usage des Chirurgiens Armees – J.B.J. Thillaye – 1809

An Essay on the Ancient and Modern Use of Armories; Shewing Their Origin, Definition, and Division of them into their several Species. The Method of Composing them, and Marshalling many Coats together in one Shield. Alexander Nisbet – First Edition 1718 – Nice Item

In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

Mawson’s Antarctic Diaries & Remembering Sir Douglas Mawson – Audio Collection

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