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  • A Journal of the Endeavour Voyager – James Magra

    A Journal of the Endeavour Voyager – James Magra

    This is a fine facsimile published by Israel Amsterdam in 1967. Note titles “Cook” by Israel but not the author.

    The original account … A Journal of a Voyage Round the World in His Majesty’s Ship Endeavour, in the Years 1768,1769,1770 and 1771 etc published by Becket and Hondt in the Strand in 1791. Quarto, 130 pages plus 3 pages of vocabulary of the language of Otahitee.

    Published two years before the official Hawkesworth account in 1793 and now generally attributed to James Magra.

    James Magra was a New Yorker and American sympathiser and accordingly to James Cook a man of dubious quality. Almost impossible to find in original form … this was the first published book describing the East Coast of Australia and includes for example reference to Stingray Bay the name given to Botany Bay by James Cook before the latter was adopted sometime before Hawkesworth.

    Magra’s account and essential Cook ingredient

    $80.00

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  • The Voyage of the Brig Mercury – Including Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land

    The Voyage of the Brig Mercury – Including Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land

    Full title … Observations and Remarks made during a Voyage to the Islands of Tenerife, Amsterdam, Maria’s Islands near Van Diemen’s Land; Otaheite, Sandwich Islands, Owhyhee, the Fox Islands on the North West Coast of America, Tinian, and then to Canton, in the Brig Mercury, Commanded by John Henry Cox …

    Illustrated with a Sketch of the Island of Amsterdam, a Plan of Oyster Harbour at the Maria Islands, with some views of the Land; a Curious Medal; and a Club accurately engraved.

    Originally published for the author Lieutenant George Mortimer of the Marines, T Cadell in the Strand et al. in 1792.

    This fine facsimile published by Israel, Amsterdam in 1975. Small quarto, 73 pages with the charts faithfully reproduced. A clean crisp copy.

    The original account of this voyage difficult near impossible to obtain. Mortimer suggests that the Voyage was chiefly undertaken from motives of curiosity by Mr Cox, the fur trade on the North West Coast of America was the ultimate objective.

    Mortimer’s narrative is a pleasing and easily read account. The visit to Amsterdam Island well to the South in the Indian Ocean, nearly Antarctic, is important to cold weather island enthusiasts. Cox had planned to call in at Adventure Bay in Van Diemen’s Land but missed it and ended up at Maria’s Island … he named Oyster Bay and the charts produced is of historical value. The progression across the Pacific to the North west Coast of America has unique elements and interesting encounters with Russians in the locale.

    Mortimer on Cox’s Voyage .. important Tasmanian content

    $60.00

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  • A Handbook to the British Mammalia – Richard Lydekker – 1896

    A Handbook to the British Mammalia – Richard Lydekker – 1896

    Published in London in 1896 by Edward Lloyd. Octavo, 339 pages, original maroon cloth binding with sharp gilt lines to boards and gilt title and author to spine.

    The highlight the 32 plus frontispiece full page chromolithographs highlighted occasionally with gum arabic.

    A superb Victorian systematic reference forming part of the Lloyd’s Natural History Series. Nice to see the bats, rodents etc getting equal weight with the badger, squirrel and fallow deer. The additional three chapters on the Ancient Mammals of Britain adds to the interest.

    Lydekker on British Mammals – Nicely Illustrated

    $40.00

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  • Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

    Wanderings in A Wild Country Or Three Years Amongst the Cannibals of New Britain – Wilfred Powell – First Edition 1883

    Scarce, one of the prized early New Guinea accounts. Published by Sampson Low, London 1883 a first edition.

    Octavo, 283 pages including vocabulary of words. 5 full page plates and 29 illustrations in the text plus four pages with illustrations on New Britain sign language. Folding sketch survey of the North-east Portion of New Britain by the author. A little ribbing to the cloth on the front board and age toning near the ends otherwise a very good copy.

    The book begins with the selection of an appropriate vessel, the ketch Star of the preparation and departure from Sydney. An eventful voyage with waterspouts, recounting the tragedy of Lizard Island (gruesome) … remarkable whirlpool near the Duke of York Islands. Reaching Matupi Island. Visiting George Brown first white in the region. Port Hunter natives, first signs of cannibalism … the Duk-duk. To Kininigunun and a native battle. To Spacious Bay with Brown and more hostilities, full on volcanic eruption. The murder of the teachers, forced to fight, saving the native women. Turtle catching and wife hunting .. exploration of the interior … natives board vessel and destroy everything.

    We lost track of how many times Powell escaped from danger …

    Wilfred Powell early adventures in New Britain

    $190.00

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  • Jenolan Caves (The Underground Wonderland) New South Wales, Australia – H. Phillips –  c1910

    Jenolan Caves (The Underground Wonderland) New South Wales, Australia – H. Phillips – c1910

    Superior period view book of the glorious Jenolan Caves. Photographed, printed and published by H Phillips (1873-1844) of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.

    This is a scarce edition with superior illustrated cover and more images than his more standard work on the Jenolan Caves. No date but circa 1910. Not in Trove.

    Landscape presentation … soft covers with exotic gilt title and illustration to front. 30cm by 24cm with title page, 2 page introduction plus 49 pages of plates, 3 of which are double folding with five excellent panoramas. Captioned images include …The Grand arch; Carlotta Arch; Devil’s Coach House and Bridge from Lucas Entrance; Grand Stalactites Imperial Cave; The Giant Shawl; Cleopatra’s Needle; Mons Meg; The Proscenium; Brookes Column; Crystal Palace; The Mystery; The Willows Nettle cave; Gem of the South etc etc

    Beautiful record of the Jenolan Caves by Harry Phillips

    $80.00

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  • Spotted Seal (Phoque de Choris) – Lesson – Paris 1838

    Spotted Seal (Phoque de Choris) – Lesson – Paris 1838

    Original hand coloured engraving drawn by Antoine Charles Vauthier and engraved by Smith. Good strong clean example.

    Produced for Rene Primevere Lesson (1794-1849) for his extension of the great natural history work originally produced by Count Buffon. They were published in Paris in 1838. Interesting that Lesson himself originally classified this species.

    The spotted seal inhabits the Arctic regions, at one time thought to be endangered but now seen in large numbers from Alaska right through Northern Siberia.

    Very good condition, clean with bright colours and a sophisticated stipple technique. Strong thick paper.. 24cm by 17cm unframed … external dimensions when framed would be 36cm by 28cm a nice size for the study or hallway.

    Lesson participated as doctor and naturalist in the Duperry voyage round the world on board La Coquille (1822-1825).

    Price $90.00 unframed or $220.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style … enquire if you wish …

    The spotted seal now quite often seen!

    $90.00

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