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Map of Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania] – Published London 1851 – Catrographer John Tallis

An original map by John Tallis of Van Diemen’s Land – Tasmania. Tallis maps represent the high point of Victorian decorative map making. This is the final state of the map with vignettes of Hobart Town; the now extinct Thylacine; Van Diemen’s Land Company’s Agent Residence Circular Head in the North West of Tasmania and a Official Seal. This is the superior issue without the central fold often seen.

Published by John Tallis & Co, London & New York. The map was drawn and engraved by John Rapkin. The illustrations drawn by H Warren and engraved by J Rogers.

Refer map authority, R.V. Tooley the “Printed Maps of Tasmania” reference 428.

A very good example, nicely coloured and important to any Australian map collection

Original collectable John Tallis Map of Tasmania

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$290.00

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Map of the World [Planisphere suivant la projection de Mercator] – Published Paris in 1780 – Cartographer Rigobert Bonne

An 18^th century copper engraved map of the World using the Mercator projection published in Paris in 1780.

Very good condition with a strong plate impression on thick wove paper, a couple of minor age spots. 33cm x 23cm would frame very nicely.

A nice post Cook pre Flinders example with Tasmania (Terre de Diemen) still shown as connected to mainland Australia. Numerous other anomalies that create interest – both the north west and north east of North America contain inaccuracies or peculiarities – a badly defined archipelago to the east, an attempt at the Aleutians and the unusual Isle James in the “Baye de Baffin”.

An attempt at ocean currents in Tropical waters following on from Dampier / Moll.

Riogobert Bonne (1727-1795) succeeded Jacques- Nicolas Bellin as the official chart maker to the French Navy and the King.

Nice post Cook pre Flinders World Map

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$280.00

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Fuller’s Spiral Slide Rule [Calculator] – Manufacturer W.F. Stanley, London

Invented by George Fuller, Professor of Engineering at Queens’s College Belfast, patented in 1878.

The rule consists of a logarithmic scale of numbers spiral wound in the form of a helix; the scale is 500 inches [circa 42 feet] in length having 7,250 divisions. This rule is therefore equivalent to a straight slide rule twice that length or c 84 feet. If you understand the principle – it’s the [lack of] length of a slide rule that inhibits accuracy. It can be held in one hand while performing calculations or fixed on the removable brass holder if more convenient. The mahogany box is true to the instrument and has felt covered fittings to protect it in transit. The original instruction booklet is still with the instrument.

The manufacturer was W.H. Stanley at one time the biggest instrument maker in the World. Stanley a Fellow of all the right Societies was an architect and had near 100 patents to his name.

This instrument is one of the last manufactured, which probably accounts for its pristine condition. We can date it to 1965 for two reasons. First, all instruments were numbered at the bottom of the B cursor, and this one is serial number 13111 and below that stamped 65 for 1965. Secondly, there is a magnificent paper published by the esteemed Oughtred Society [Look it up] which gives excellent background information on the instrument and provides a graph of the serial numbers and dates of a good sample from No 1 in 1884 to number 13688 in 1973 – so you can see that ours is placed right in the twilight zone.

We find it interesting that only 14,000 instruments were ever made over a period of 90 years. After a slowish start and an end tail-off the graph of units made is pretty steady with a bit of a jolt during WWI and WWII. Your guess is right it was killed pretty dead by Hewlett Packard.

We haven’t gone into full details of how the instrument is constructed and functions, but we do have information in our Research Section, and you can always look up the aforementioned “Oughtred” reference – best information going – forget Wiki.

In terms of size the box is 46 cm x 12 cm x 11 cm. The rule is 43 cm long 9 cm in diameter.. Total weight around 2 kgs.

A postage supplement may be required dependent on location of buyer.

Fullers system of spiral slide rule – top of the pile and an instrument of some beauty

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$690.00

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Commemorating the First Transantarctic Crossing 1957-8 – Fuchs and Hillary.

Usually described as First Day Cover but really a philatelic curiosity.

Pictorial envelope with Fuchs and Hillary [Hillary must be the one on the right as he is wearing the typical Hillary fur trimmed hood – however he has been made the same height as the truly shorter Fuchs]. A Sno-Cat which was used by Fuchs who departed from the Shackleton Base [also with tractors] and a De Havilland DHC-3 which also did a trans-antarctic and delivered some supplies along the way.

Vivian Fuchs set off in November 1957. Hillary left a little later [with tractors and dogs] – he was only to go part way to the Pole but had such a good run that he went on to the Pole and beat Fuchs to the point. Must have really pleased Fuchs to see Hillary there! This was the first time since Scott and Amundsen that anyone made it by “land” to the Pole. A base had been established by aircraft.

They both set off to the Scott Base in the Ross Dependency [Hillary getting a lift by aircraft] and then coming back so they could come in together – you can see where we are going here!

This “cover” is from the Scott Base and dated 20^th January 1958 so when they are approaching back from the Pole – not a bad date but you can see our F.D.C. technicality. A nice example to a NZ receiver which is nice. Thee Ross Dependency Stamps [nice ones]. All very clean.

The first time across and the first time there since the famous pair – not to be done again until the 1980’s

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$90.00

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Special Polar References – Bonhams Polar Sale[s] Catalogue[s] of 2012

Over the years Christies and Bonhams have fought it out as to who could gather and catalogue the best of the best books, maps, objects of interest, letters, logs etc relating to the Polar exploits of the Golden Age of Exploration.

Our view, and many others, is that the Bonhams “Scott & Amundsen Centenary Sale” of March 2012 was the winner. This was followed by Polar II in December of that year.

They are superb references in their own right and should be part of any Polar Collection.

Both perfect bound and in super condition – catalogue I, 188 pages near a thousand of illustrations; catalogue II 78 pages many illustrations. Bonhams went to town with the production and photography.

Hard to pick our favourite item … an absolute smorgasbord.

Bonhams Polar Reference – Impossible to match – rare to get them tog

$140.00

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Rare – Casella of London Boxed Compass – circa 1850

Top London maker. Louis Paschella Casella was born at Tavernerio near Lake Como, Northern Italy in 1802. His father mover the family to London for a better life. Louis was one of seventeen children!!

In the 1820’s he became apprenticed to distinguished Italian instrument maker Cesare Tagliabue, who had been in business since 1799.

In 1837 Louis married Tagliabue’s daughter and was soon made a partner in the business. Tagliabue died around 1844 and Louis became the sole proprietor continuing from their original premises at 23 Hatton Gardens. Later Louis’s sons took over the business.

Original mahogany box circa 7.0cm by 7.0cm with hook to close. Open to show the typically quite beautiful Casella sunburst dial. Showing thirty-two cardinal and intercardinal points and degrees and minutes on the outside. Blue compass needle works well. A button stop which traps the needle protects the compass when closed and travelling.

Casella as a maker was highly regarded and his instruments appear in museum collections around the world. He is known to have supplied the leading explorers and naturalists of the day including Livingston, Speake, Burton, and Charles Darwin.

Amazingly the company, or brand, continues this day as part of the modern American roll up of instrument makers that make up TSI.

Casella – Instrument maker Royalty – a treasured compass – small but perfect and can still show you the way after 170 years.

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$250.00

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Map of Van Diemen’s Land [Tasmania] – Published London 1851 – Catrographer John Tallis

Map of the World [Planisphere suivant la projection de Mercator] – Published Paris in 1780 – Cartographer Rigobert Bonne

Fuller’s Spiral Slide Rule [Calculator] – Manufacturer W.F. Stanley, London

Commemorating the First Transantarctic Crossing 1957-8 – Fuchs and Hillary.

Special Polar References – Bonhams Polar Sale[s] Catalogue[s] of 2012

Rare – Casella of London Boxed Compass – circa 1850

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