Non-fiction

The Compleat Plattmaker – Edited by Thrower – Six Distinguished Contributors

Essays on Chart, Map, an Globe Making in England in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.

First edition published by the University of California Press in 1978.

Edited by Norman Thrower who was the Clark Library Professor, 1972-1973. A collection of six scholarly essays by leading authorities, including Helen Wallis the Map Librarian at the British Library.

Octavo, 241 pages nicely illustrated with some images rarely seen because of the focus of the essays. Very good condition.

Content comprises … Geographie is Better than Divinitie – the Dyas of Samuel Pepys; Manuscript and Printed Sea Charts of 17thC London; Mapping the English Colonies in North America; John Seller and the Chart Trade in 17thC England; English Cartography 1650-1750; Edmond Halley and Thematic Geo-cartography.

Special publication worth it for Pepys alone and Moxon’s pocket globe!

$40.00

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Explorers’ Maps – Chapters in the Cartographic Record of Geographical Discovery – R.A. Skelton – Perry’s Copy

Another special book by the former head map man at the British Museum, as well as Hon Sec of the Hakluyt Society.

Small quarto, first edition, published by Routledge, London in 1958. Perry’s copy with his signature on the front end paper. 337 pages with numerous illustrations of relevant charts and maps. Coloured frontispiece of HMS Racehorse stuck in the ice off Spitzbergen. A very good copy. Heavy book might require a postage supplement if Overseas.

Selection and breadth of knowledge sets Skelton’s book apart.

The Way East and Marco Polo starts the serious stuff. Then Portuguese Sea-ways to the Indies. The Way West … and where will it get you Cathay or the New World?. The North-East and North-West Passages. European rivalry for the Spice Islands … the Spanish in the South Seas; and the Dutch and that special quest for the land down-under. Cook and the mapping of the Pacific. The rivers of Africa and the Poles … wonderful.

Explorers and the maps they created … some special Australian content and the rest. Expert Perry’s copy.

$90.00

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

George Bass, Surgeon and 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”.

First, 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 possibly … likely … tragic, making the date of his death noted 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 examples were produced in this bronze form and a similar number in silver. 50mm in diameter, 48gms weight, with a high relief bust of Bass facing right, carrying his spyglass. On the reverse a delightful image of the whaleboat, the sloop Norfolk and the chart and route of the vessels, appropriately dated. Comes with its original blue case, with red velvet plush setting, gilt description top of lid, pop button release.

Unusual medal to celebrate the achievements of George Bass

$170.00

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Arthur Phillip – First Governor of New South Wales – Early Mezzotint c1790′s

A well-executed copper engraving using the mezzotint technique, of First Governor Arthur Phillip from the original German publication of his First Fleet Journal.

Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) was appointed Governor designate of the new Colony to be formed in New South wales. His First Fleet arrived in January 1788 and he selected Port Jackson as the first settlement having decided Botany Bay was unsuitable. He returned to England in 1792 an was succeeded by John Hunter.

Dimensions 20cm by 12cm with a strong plate impression an clear bold printing. Framed would make a nice library item for a First Fleet follower.

Price $75.00 unframed.

Nice historic image of Arthur Phillip.

$75.00

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Signed Manuscript Letter from Lord Hobart to Granville Penn (undated but likely 1803 the Year Hobart Tasmania Was Named After Him)

Robert Hobart (1760-1816) known as Lord Hobart and the Fourth Earl of Buckinghamshire. He was a British Tory and secretary of State for War and the Colonies between March 1801 and May 1804.

Hobart is named after him. In 1803 the first settlement was made as a penal colony at Risdon Cove on the eastern shores of the Derwent. In 1804 it was moved to a better site at Sullivan’s Cove and the town settlement named Hobart Town or Hobarton. The Voyager letter was written at or about that time as the subject matter was published in 1803.

The letter in a strong hand is addressed from Hobart to Granville Penn (1761-1844) (great-grandson of Admiral Sir William Penn) an author and scriptural geologist. Written on one age of 8vo with integral address leaf from the House of Commons.

The letter reads …

“The translation of Leibnitz’s memoir with the judicious & able observations you have made upon it demand my earliest acknowledgements & I shall put them into Mr Addington’s hands as a proof of your uncommon diligence, and ability to render that diligence of the most Essential Importance to the Public Service – most faithfully yours Hobart”

Rare and interesting letter signed by Hobart

Note “A summary account of Leibnitz’s memoir, addressed to Lewis the Fourteenth, recommending to that Monarch, the conquest of Egypt, as conducive to the establishing a supreme authority over the Governments of Europe – Granville Penn – printed by J Hatchard, London 1803” – Leibnitz the great scientist, mathematician and political strategist and rival of Isaac Newton.

$90.00

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Topographical Maps – P.D.A. Harvey

Full title … “The History of Topographical Maps – Symbols, Pictures and Surveys.

Small quarto, a first edition published by Thames and Hudson, London in 1908. 199 Pages with 116 illustrations some in colour.

The author Professor of Medieval History at Durham University and had previously been Assistant Keeper of Manuscripts at the British Museum.

A super intriguing book which focuses on some rather are and obscure examples which makes stand out from more general book on cartography. Classical imagery in maps, bird’s-eye views, the Medieval approach .. with interesting images from Europe, the Far East and India. Surveys from the earliest scale-maps into 16th Century Europe … we love it.

The dust jacket front image is from an 18th century atlas of the Kiangsi Province, China.

Beautiful book with special high level content. A cartographers delight.

$35.00

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The Compleat Plattmaker – Edited by Thrower – Six Distinguished Contributors

Explorers’ Maps – Chapters in the Cartographic Record of Geographical Discovery – R.A. Skelton – Perry’s Copy

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

Arthur Phillip – First Governor of New South Wales – Early Mezzotint c1790′s

Signed Manuscript Letter from Lord Hobart to Granville Penn (undated but likely 1803 the Year Hobart Tasmania Was Named After Him)

Topographical Maps – P.D.A. Harvey

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