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An Account of Six Years Residence in Hudson’s-Bay – Joseph Robson – First Edition 1752

Full title … An Account of Six Years Residence in Hudson’s Bay, From 1733 to 1736, and 1744 to 1747. Containing a Variety of Facts, Observations, and Discoveries, tending to shew, I – The Vast Importance of the Countries about Hudson’s Bay to Great-Britain, II – the interested Views of laying open the Trade, and making it the Object of National Encouragement.

A remarkable account and the first meaningful narrative on the subject in that previous writer had only spent one winter season at Hudson’s Bay. Rare and especially so in that all three engravings are present (2 maps and a plan of forts etc.). Published in London 1752. Octavo in two parts 84 pages and 96 pages after vi preliminaries.

A powerful denunciation of the secretive and hopeless methods of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Robson had an intimate knowledge having been employed as surveyor and supervisor to the company. He strongly criticised their failure to properly exploit the fur trade and to further consider fishing (whaling) and mining opportunities, partly through a lack of any vigour in exploring the interior. This poorly run monopoly, he thought, was effectively throwing the fur trade into the hands of the French. He supported the petition in 1749 to revoke the Hudson’s-Bay Charter and gave testimony to Parliament to that effect. The Appendix (the second Part) gives a very useful account of the discovery of Hudson’s Bay apparently based on the unpublished journal of Captain Zachariah Gillam ship’s Captain of the Groseiller Expedition c1670.

The maps and plans are quite special engraved in copper. Plate Number I – (a multiple fold map 44cm by 17cm) “A Draught of Nelson & Hayes River” by cartographer Thomas Jeffreys; Plate II (a folding map 24cm x 17cm) “A Draught of Churchill River, and Plate II – Plans of York and Prince of Wales’s Forts which are Fig I and II respectively and Figure III and engraving of Snow Shoes in Galley and Round Toed form.

As well as the “History” the “Appendices” at the back include much information regarding wind directions and strength and tides at the Churchill River.

Rare and valuable account with all maps and plans

$840.00

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Fine Bindings – The Novels of Laurence Sterne in Four Volumes – Fine Bayntun of Bath Bindings

Published in the 1920’s by The Navarre Society, London. Three volumes comprise “The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy – Gentleman” and the final volume “A Sentimental Journey”.

Magnificently bound by the great Bayntun (Riviere) bookbinders of Bath England. Each volume carries their discrete stamp. Half polished deep red calf and red cloth covered boards. Spines with six compartments with separate leather title and volume/author labels to the second and fourth compartment gilt floral designs to others. Simply edible.

Laurence Sterne (1713 – 1768) Irish clergyman Novelist was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge. At 46 he discovered he had a talent for writing and turned his parish over to the curate. He tried to supplement his income by farming but was not good at it. He then began to work on the comic novel Tristram Shandy and the first volumes were published in 1759 … its publication made him instantly famous both in London and overseas. He became ill and travelled to France where because of Tristram Shandy he was hailed a celebrity. He used aspects of this trip to write his second novel “A Sentimental Journey …” published in 1768. He soon became increasingly ill and died that year.

Sterne’s work by Navaree dressed by Bayntun

$340.00

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Elle S’Appelle Manon – Robert Dammy – Gazette du Bon Ton – 1914

A beautiful hand coloured “Pochoire” by H. Robert Dammy for the Paris Gazette du Bon Ton published in 1914. One of the great early Bon Tons.

“Elle s’appelle Manon” wearing a beautiful cape for the evening by designer Doucet. The ultimate in fashion print from a perfect era.

Price framed $320.00 in Voyager Gazette du Bon Ton style … if you would like it unframed just let us know …

A lovely vibrant example of possibly the most sought after Bon Ton

$290.00

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Rare Historical Microscope Slide HMS Dart Survey – Australian Waters 1897

HMS Dart was actively involved in Hydrographic and Scientific Surveys in the Australian waters in the later stages of the 19th century. This unique slide of Foraminifera collected at 38 degrees South 149 degrees East (South of Tamboon) in Eastern Victoria to the East end of the Bass Strait. Comprising a numbered grid of 24 positions with forams glued down (some have come loose over the years).

Unique scientific record from Australia 1897

$150.00

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John Browning – Victorian Table Spectroscope c1890

An original prismatic lacquered brass spectroscope by the leading London based Victorian maker John Browning. Special quality as would be expected from a Browning instrument. Original fitted Mahogany Case with carrying handle, which has lost its lock as often, no damage to the case.

The table is engraved and Vernier works as it should. Telescope and collimator. The adjustable slit is in perfect condition and has its cover or protector which is usually missing. The optics are in A1 condition. The telescope arm is fully articulated and can be locked into position. The flint glass prism looks original to the instrument and has its original oxidised table housing. The telescope length is 20cms fully in 30cm fully extended. The instrument stands 25cms high.

Price $990.00Quality Victorian Spectroscope Top Maker

$890.00

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Museum Quality Fossil Bowfin Fish from the Messel Pits, Germany

Very nice large extinct form of Bowfin Fish, Cyclurus kehreri. From the Middle Eocene (Geisealtalain) period – 47 Million Years Old.

These fossils are found within the bituminous oil shales that occur near the village of Messel, Darmstadt, Germany. The fossils are removed from the shale using a technique called reverse transfer preparation, where the fossil is mounted onto a resin plate and the destructive oils shale is then removed leaving the fossil on the resin plate. This is the only way for them to be preserved and the method is used by leading authorities.

Size of fish 26cm by 7cm, overall mount 36cm by 15cm.

The Fish has a number of living relatives such as the mudfish, mud pike, dogfish, griddle etc. and is also related to the gars.

An extremely rare and sought after fossil

$290.00

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An Account of Six Years Residence in Hudson’s-Bay – Joseph Robson – First Edition 1752

Fine Bindings – The Novels of Laurence Sterne in Four Volumes – Fine Bayntun of Bath Bindings

Elle S’Appelle Manon – Robert Dammy – Gazette du Bon Ton – 1914

Rare Historical Microscope Slide HMS Dart Survey – Australian Waters 1897

John Browning – Victorian Table Spectroscope c1890

Museum Quality Fossil Bowfin Fish from the Messel Pits, Germany

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