Non-fiction

Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

A first edition published by the University of Chicago Press in 1972.

Octavo, 138 pages all in very good condition.

Expert Raleigh A. Skelton (known as Peter) was in charge of the Map Room at the British Museum … he was also Editor of the illustrious cartographic journal Imago Mundi … and worked closely with Tooley.

Unfortunately he passed away before this book was absolutely complete. His notes and extensive references made the final putting together of it an easier task than would otherwise have been.

A super work starting with The History of Cartography – An Introductory Survey; the Preservation an Collecting of Early Maps; the Historical Study of Early Maps … the Past, Present and Future. And a lengthy bibliography of Skelton’s published efforts compiled in chronological order by Robert Karrow

Skelton – his final views after a long career toiling over his love of maps

$25.00

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An Immigrant of 1824 [George Robinson - Tasmania] – N.J.B. Plomley

The immigrant in question is none other than George Augustus Robinson, who would become the conciliator of the Tasmanian Aborigines. A man who Brian Plomley would spend many years examining through his lengthy but hard to read diaries.

Softcover, published by the Hobart Historical Research Association in 1973. Mock parchment stiff wrappers. Title to front, 47 pages, illustrations from Robinson’s sketches, tables, graphs etc. A fine copy.

Deals with Robinson’s voyage to Australia on the Triton, a substantial vessel for her day, owned by the Australian Company. Robinson travelled steerage Pounds25 compared with the posh Cabin at Pounds65-75. Plomley acknowledges that Robinson’s onboard diaries are lacking in certain areas but makes a good fist of telling the story. All set in a broader discussion on the rate and mix of immigration in the period … with some dubious calculus employed to prove that the rate of change of growth remained constant (well really). The background to Robinson’s pre-emigration life are excellent, as are sections on the Triton with a good schematic of rigging, layout etc.

Excellent notes and references make the work whole.

Plomley on Robinson, on his way out .. a useful and interesting read.

$20.00

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Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Title continues … A Record of Exploration in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas by J Kennedy Maclean. Published by Chambers Edinburgh, thick octavo, 404 pages. Magnificent pictorial boards, well illustrated with two maps of the top and the bottom. Some spotting and spine ends a bit pulled, otherwise a pretty good copy.

The pictorial boards may give the impression this was for a younger audience. The quality of the content and writing suggest the market was father and son.

Written chronologically with an introduction of “Gains and losses of Polar Enterprise” before the “Pioneers”. The search for the North-west passage and Franklin and much about his horrors. Nares and then the fatal “Jannette” an incredible story often lost in these accounts. The discovery of Franz Josef Land and the North-east Passage by Nordenskiold. Peary and the success of the North Pole after twenty years … and Cook.

In the South, Scotland’s share of the then exploration and Scott’s Discovery Expedition. Shackleton’s Farthest South (so close) and the great race for the Pole.

At the time of publication the race to the pole had just been won and the tragedy of Scott’s expedition known but not fully understood. Tributes had begun to flow.

A Voyager favourite … an obscure but relevant Polar item.

$90.00

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Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

The great Anson circumnavigation of the mid-18th century to basically steal as much Spanish gold – as possible (successful in that regard). This book based on the papers of Captain Saumarez and an essential part of the incredible story that makes up this historic adventure.

Based on the original papers of Captain Philip Saumarez on Board HMS Centurion, Lord Anson’s flagship during his circumnavigation 1740-44.

The four Saumarez logs have not been previously published or referenced. They had been lost for year until found in the 1960’s in a cardboard box along with letter and other documents at the Saumerez manor in the Channel Islands.

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1974.Large octavo, 264 pages, world map end papers showing the track of the fleet, numerous illustrations from original works, some in colour. A very good copy.

While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a Squadron of eight ships on a mission to harass the Spaniards on the west coast of South America and cut off their supplies of wealth from the Pacific.

“Returning to England in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of the gold laden Acapulco Galleon but also for the loss of all ships except Anson’s Centurion and horrific losses to disease with only 300 of the original 900 surviving.

Anson’s voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to Englishmen of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which restored national pride after an unsuccessful war against the Spaniards.”

Saumerez another perspective on Anson

$40.00

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Australian Frogmouths – Broinowski – 1890

An original hand finished chromolithograph from Broinowksi’s magnificent wok on Australian birds published late in the Victorian era.

Two frogmouths … Podargus Strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth) an Podargus Plumiferus (Marbled Frogmouth). With moderate gum arabic highlights on the eyes, beaks and wing tips.

Matted nicely ready to frame. Printed area 31cm by 24cm. external mat dimensions 43cm by 34cm. A nice example of the desirable frogmouth image … easier to see here than out in the bush.

Price unframed but nicely matted as described. Our scanner is too small to show the full effect of the matting … its nice … double matted with French lines coloured and gilt.

Australian Frogmouths … very Australian

$120.00

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The Collected Poems of Sidney Keyes – With Unpublished typescript Poem “Ode to Hitler”

Published posthumously by Routledge, London a fourth impression, 1951. Small octavo, xxiv, 123 pages, original binding, very good condition. The typescript poem “Ode to Hitler’ is dated June 1941 (whilst he was till at Oxford – see below). There is a manuscript note on the endpapers “including unpublished poem”; also a note from Anthony Smith, Headmaster of Dartford Grammar School, which Keyes attended “Dear Professor Porter, I am returning three items we borrowed from you …”. This is October, 1987 and there had been a special Keyes Conference held at the school that year … it is possible that the unique poem was one of the borrowed items, and that this book was Porter’s Professor Porter is likely the Theologian who was at Oriel college, Oxford for 13 years from 1949.

The typescript poem contains an overtyped correction “Lonely” in the third last line – shown in the image. The manuscript date “June 1941” is surely in Sidney Keyes’ hand, by comparison with the facsimile of a hand written poem included in “Collected Poems”

This is a special story. Sidney Keyes (1922-1943) was raised by his maternal grandparent, his mother died shortly after his birth. He began writing poetry at a very young age, influenced by Wordsworth, Rilke and Jung. He won a scholarship to Queen’s College, Oxford. At University he wrote two books “The Cruel Solstice” and “The Iron Laurel” for which he was later awarded the Hawthornden Prize. He was very active at Oxford editing the Cherwell Magazine and forming a dramatic society. Leaving Oxford in 1942 he joined the army and sadly died in active service in Tunisia in April 1943.

All up there are 110 poems of which half relate to the War. All of his poems written during active service were lost.

“Ode to Hitler” is a seven verse poem the first six comprising seven lines, the last six. It is a serious matter, whilst being clear in meaning. We do not want to publish all here … but here are the final lines.

“You tapeworm of the mind, you will forgive
My wanderings, stung by a sudden fury;
Not even speaking for my country, only
A mouthing sharp-tongued poet for the lonely
And awkward speaking. But you will never thrive
While we, the sour and cunning, stay alive.”

A special writer and poet who gave his life too young and, a potentially important unpublished work.

ENQUIRIES WELCOME

$120.00

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Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

An Immigrant of 1824 [George Robinson - Tasmania] – N.J.B. Plomley

Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

Australian Frogmouths – Broinowski – 1890

The Collected Poems of Sidney Keyes – With Unpublished typescript Poem “Ode to Hitler”

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