Pacific Islands

The Contented Botanist – Sophie Ducker

Published in 1988 by Melbourne University at the Miegunyah Press and produced to their usual exceptional standard. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

Unusual and important work. William Harvey (1811-1886) was one of the great Victorian Botanist. He travelled the Pacific and produced and book on Australian flora Phycologia Australica. He knew Hooker and Professor Asa Gray and corresponded with them. His visits to Australia included meeting the convicts at Port Arthur. This work based on his letters and paper unearthed at the Harvard University herbarium is brilliantly put together by the exceptional Sophie Ducker.

Important records found and presented

$40.00

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Whaling Voyages in the Pacific (1823-1829) – The Dalton Journal – Edited by Niel Gunson

Published National Library of Australia, 1990. First Edition, 140 pages with illustrations and bibliography. Original maroon cloth with title lettered in gilt on spine and front board, inlay of scrimshaw on front board, a fine copy. No dust jacket as issued.

A rare British account of whaling activities in the South Seas (1823-1829), a field dominated by American journals. Provides an eyewitness account of the death of Captain James Cook recalled by a group of elderly Hawaiians. Records the discoveries of Phoenix Island and Canton Island, the new light on the opening up of the Pacific to missionary activity and European settlement.

More than Whaling in this fine journal

$40.00

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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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Map of the Pacific Ocean – 1747 Cartographer – Bellin

A nice early map of the Pacific (“La Grande Mer du Sud”) engraved in copper by Cosmant from the cartographer Bellin strictly after a map by Herman Moll for Dampier.

Tropical trade winds are shown based on Halley’s 17th century wind map.

One can see why his work became an essential reference for future explorers – Cook included. Interesting features such as the pre-Cook form of New Holland, California shown as an island and in the bottom right the Isles of Juan Fernando where Dampier was to maroon Alexander Selkirk of Robinson Crusoe fame.

Price framed in a charcoal black frame and a cream mat board with black core. Please ask if you would like this item unframed.

1747 Century Map of the Pacific – Fine condition … Click on me to see the full map!

$290.00

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Submarine Classic – Take Her Deep – Galantin

Published by Unwin, London 1988. 262 pages with illustrations and end paper charts. Very good in a very good dust jacket.

Galantin perhaps the most courageous submarine Captain in the US Pacific Fleet. His true story is full of the tension of the depth charge attack – Beats “The Hunt for Red October” hands down

Torpedoes away

$50.00

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The Contented Botanist – Sophie Ducker

Whaling Voyages in the Pacific (1823-1829) – The Dalton Journal – Edited by Niel Gunson

Headhunting in The Solomon Islands – Caroline Mytinger

A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Map of the Pacific Ocean – 1747 Cartographer – Bellin

Submarine Classic – Take Her Deep – Galantin

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