Non-fiction

The Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1923

A first edition of the prestige edition of the biography of Shackleton by his long-time colleague and admirer Hugh Robert Mill.

Published by Heinemann, London in 1923. Large octavo, 312 pages, 19 illustrations from photographs and four maps in the text. Original blue cloth covered binding with gilt titling to front and spine and gilt shield. A little ageing, altogether still a very good copy of a much-prized edition.

Mill states in his Preface that he had the assistance of lady Shackleton and the great man’s daughters Miss Shackleton, Miss A.V. Shackleton and Miss Eleanor Shackleton (the protocol of the 1920’s). He also acknowledges that the book is weighted towards the exploratory and whilst referencing Shackleton’s business exploit and war effort they are written with limited personal experience of the facts. Regardless of the qualification we find most interesting the chapters on Shackleton’s early life as sea starting as a “Boy” on the Iquique going around the Horn. The rest is “history” …

Shackleton by a man who knew him well.

SO SORRY ON HOLD ENQUIRE IF YOU WISH

$220.00

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Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

First US Edition published by Stokes, New York in 1923 – Scarce. Carries the imprint of Cassell, London Publisher, on spine.

Thick large octavo, xvi, and 372 pages, illustrated throughout from relevant photographs, maps etc. Decorated sky blue boards making a very attractive presentation. Scattered pale foxing aside a very good collectable copy.

Written by Commander Frank Wild C.B.E. from the Official Journal and Private Diary kept by Dr A.H. Macklin.

Shackleton driven to be in the Antarctic went back a fourth and for him final time in 1921.

The vessel the ill suited “Quest” a converted Norwegian sealer. The objectives were rather imprecise but included a circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent. Early in the voyage (at Rio) Shackleton had a suspected heart attack. He pushed on refusing proper treatment. On the 4^th January 1922 at South Georgia in the early hours of the morning he suffered a fatal attack.

The events are recorded here by his right-hand man Frank Wild (he had been on very Shackleton expedition). Wild believed that the “Boss” would have desired them to go on with the mission – which they did, and this is the record of the whole of the voyage and effort. In accordance with the widows wishes Shackleton was buried on South Georgia – later Frank Wild’s ashes were interred alongside Shackleton’s grave.

Shackleton and Wild no braver combination.

$890.00

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Atlas of Atlases – Phillip Allen

Super book for a generalist interest in early cartography. Great foundation.

Published by Bounty Books in 2005. A substantial book, large squarish quarto, 160 pages, magnificently illustrated as one would expect. A near fine copy.

Too large for our scanner I am afraid, so the image is cropped RHS.

Takes a chronological approach – Classical, Medieval the Era of Exploration, the Dutch, the Empires and the Modern Age.

Narrative very readable and information but it’s the numerous relevant, high-quality illustrations that makes this the tops.

A super education in one book

$40.00

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Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

Admiral Bying was famously executed on his ship at Plymouth having been found guilty of retiring against the enemy [cowardice].

It was a terrible set-up and much information was withheld during his Trial and much more was bent out of shape – noting much changed there!

An anonymous author but obviously with many contacts relevant to the matter.

A pamphlet printed by J Cooke at the King’s Arms, Great Turnstile, Holborn [London] in 1756. Saddle stitch as original 31 pages, pretty good condition, very clean.

Contains extracts from numerous contemporary reports and letters and a set of tables that prove the assertion that Byng retreated from and “inferior” force to be very wrong.

Byng a thorough rebuttal of the case against him – but too late.

SO SORRY SOLD

$150.00

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[important Aboriginal Content] Where Strange Paths Go Down – Alice Duncan-Kemp

This would appear to be the most collectable and cherished edition published in 1964 by Smith and Paterson, Brisbane. Previously issued in 1952.

Thick royal octavo, xxxii and 299 pages over 200 plates from photographs, artwork by James Wienke. Endpaper maps. Some age but otherwise an excellent very good copy.

Alice Duncan-Kemp [1901-1988] was brought up on Mooraberrie Station west of Windarah in the far west of south Queensland. Her brother and father died before she was seven years old and she was brought up by her mother who decided to stay on the property assisted by local aboriginals. Because of these circumstances Alice’s relationship with the aboriginals was intimate – she and her sister would go on extended mustering trips etc during which she would learn aboriginal ways and hear about heir customs, folklore etc. As well as the history of frontier conflict and resistance.

Her knowledge, set down in this book is both unique and extensive. The photographic imagery that supports the text makes the work that more special.

Treasured work by Duncan-Kemp

$390.00

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Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

Lionel Ball was the Assistant Government Geologist at the time and author of many of the good standard surveys at the very start of the 1900’s.

Bound in original olive green card covers. Title to front and repeated inside. A total of 11 pages with map of area and two images from photographs – the Hill and the Main Workings.has been folded at some time causing minor splits, generally a good copy.

Oaks View Hill is near Canoona, four miles north of the then Oaks Station and, 45 miles from Rockhampton.

The hill is about half a mile long and one third across rising to 150 feet – the rocks are chiefly quartzites and schists.

In October 1903, W.S. Thomason discovered gold on the surface at Oaks View Hill. Nothing was done until the following February when on showing the place to relatives, some minor effort showed payable gold. Reward claims were allotted and the good results started a mini-rush. By the end of 1904 a company was floated and capital raised. Other adventurers took up positions around the primary claim.

The small but detailed sketch map has some curiosity as in the finest of hands someone with clear interest has made annotations.

We do know that Ball came back the next year and things has moved forward significantly with heavy gear having been purchased. However, there were issues with the lack of water, and we are not sure what eventuated.

The history is difficult to track and can be easily confused with the Oaks Mine further north

The beginning of a story? The discovery of payable gold at oaks View Hill.

$50.00

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The Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1923

Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

Atlas of Atlases – Phillip Allen

Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

[important Aboriginal Content] Where Strange Paths Go Down – Alice Duncan-Kemp

Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

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