Non-fiction | Archive | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Headhunting in The Solomon Islands – Caroline Mytinger

A First edition 1942 of Caroline Mytinger’s well regarded book about the Solomon Islands. Mytinger (1897-1980) was an American portrait painter and a truly independent woman. She was a noted beauty and had modelled for Charles Dana Gibson.

In the 1920’s she decided to travel with a friend Margaret Warner to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. This is one of two book resulting from those expeditions. In her writing she records important ethnographic detail describing individuals with great respect bordering on affection. On returning to the USA the art she produced was exhibited first by famed anthropologist Margaret Mead.

Special book by a special person

$60.00

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A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Meek (1871-1943) was born into a Natural History family. Before he was twenty he was at Coomooboolaroo Station in Queensland collecting for the great Lionel Rothschild for his zoo at Tring. He then travelled New Guinea and the Solomons for both Tring and the Natural History Museum. This is a second impression in very good condition.

This is the book on his travels. Amongst his great finds were the holotyoe and paratype of the Woodlark venomous snake, rare there are still only twelve specimens known. In 1906 he discovered (and shot) the first specimen of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly … the largest in the world.

Many species are named after him … a crested pigeon, lorikeet, pygmy-parrot, crow, dwarf kingfisher etc and several butterflies and moths.

Meek a fearless Natural Historian who made his mark in New Guinea and the Solomons

$160.00

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Curious Map of the Eastern Hemisphere – Calmet 1728 – Early Australia Outline

An original special and unusual copper engraved map by Antoine Calmet (1672-1757) published in 1728 for his work on the Creation of the World. Below the map of the Old World is a sphere representing the creation of the Universe with the Earth at its centre. Very good condition un-coloured as it should be with a strong plate impression. 33cms by 22cms in plate impression.

Whilst the map highlights Africa, Europa and Asia the strong depiction of those parts of Australia discovered and mapped by the Dutch is charming with the Gulf of Carpentaria connected to New Guinea as was thought then.

Calmet was a French Benedictine monk and scholar born in Lorraine. He became very learned and out of humility refused honours from the Pope. The map is believed to have been engraved by Strackman (1680-1730) who worked with distinguished cartographers De Fer and De L’ilsle

Price $290.00 framed in stylish charcoal frame in cream mat with black core … a combination that works well with early uncoloured maps … enquire if you wish this map unframed or an alternative.

Unusual early 18thC map with good Australian relevance

$290.00

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Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Extremely rare London First 1923. Very good condition bar some occasional foxing. Bright and tight boards as published.

W.R. (Dickie) Humphries arrived in Papua in 1917 and took over an ambitious patrolling plan under the guidance of Hubert Murray. This excellent book records in detail a number of exploratory expeditions. Taking in Nepa, Tiveris, Kerma and Christmas on the Lakekamu, the Kukukukus and their raids on Nepa. Off into the unknown … ascending Mount Chapman and to the valley at Kwolum, friendly natives (rare) at Biaru and gigantic cigars. Ascending Mount Waria and a close shave. At Dunai-ia strange graves and thumb nails and to Boli, Nele and Morobe before turning back to Kokoda. Nicely illustrated with unique with over 40 photographic images. In 1924 Humphries escorted Frank Hurley on his famous photographic expedition into the Mount Yule area.

Scarce as they get patrolling expeditions immediately post WWI

$190.00

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Sir John French – The Little Field Marshall – Richard Holmes

Published by Jonathan cape, London. A fine copy in a like dust jacket. Almost as new.

This 1981 first edition was the first proper biography on French. Heavily criticised by many for his failures during WWI French has supporters including Churchill and Lloyd George.

This book written with access to his private papers reveals his despair at the mounting casualties and a rather ambitious private life full of mistress and a secret second marriage.

French in WWI and much more

$40.00

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The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

A first edition of Hall and Neal’s legendary book about the ancient ruins of Rhodesia.

The binding is in very good condition and the gilt top edge clean and bright as day one. The pages are rough cut as required and there is some foxing internally as usual especially around the many plates where there is a change in paper type. Accepting this it is a very good copy with the gilt device to the front board strong and impressive. There is no fading along the bottom of the front cover that is just a glitch with Voyager’s scanner!

11 plans some folding along with 36 plates and a massive folding map of the ruins and ancient gold mines. An incredible effort and a Voyager favourite.

Early history in Zimbabwe that will surprise.

$170.00

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Headhunting in The Solomon Islands – Caroline Mytinger

A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Curious Map of the Eastern Hemisphere – Calmet 1728 – Early Australia Outline

Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Sir John French – The Little Field Marshall – Richard Holmes

The Ancient Ruins of Rhodesia – Hall and Neal – First Edition 1902 – A Special Book with Superb Map

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