Top Shelf Sold

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

SO SORRY SOLD

$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 together.

SO SORRY SOLD

$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.

SO SORRY SOLD

$250.00

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Journal of Landsborough’s Expedition – From Carpentaria – in search of Burke and Wills – with a map showing his route – Rare First Edition 1862

First edition published in Melbourne in 1862.

Original papered boards, octavo, 128 pages, frontispiece, still with tissue protection, and the large (58 cm x 78 cm) folding map of Australia “Shewing the Routes of Explorers”. Spine re-enforced professionally with new ends, some age as usual, still a good to better copy.

The frontispiece is an engraving of the explorers and their trackers.

Landsborough oversaw the fourth expedition sent out to find Burke and Wills organised at Brisbane by direction of the Royal Society of Victoria.

The Brig Firefly was chartered in Melbourne to take Landsborough from Brisbane to Carpentaria setting sail on the 24^{th of} August 1861, the beginning of a quite remarkable exploration.

A key exploration account in the cannon of the Burke & Wills rescue atte

$480.00

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The Crevasse – A Critical Response to “Flaws in the Ice” – [In defence of Douglas Mawson] – Karyn Bradford – signed by the Author.

Published by the Polar experts Erskine Press – soft cover 2015. Larger octavo format, 96 pages, wrapped cover, excellent condition. Signed by the author on title.

David Day in his book Flaws in the Ice went about destroying Mawson’s legendary reputation partly supported by Madigan’s Diaries, just recently published. Day went much deeper and tested responsibility for the deaths of Ninnis and Mertz.

Karyn Bradford, herself a distinguished Polar author had had enough and armed with a meaningful analysis puts a strong case in favour of Mawson – enough to cool his many admirers anyway.

Mawson put back on the top shelf by Bradford!

SO SORRY SOLD

$40.00

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Trans-Himalaya: Discoveries and Adventures in Tibet – Two Volumes – Sven Hedin – First Editions -1909

Published by MacMillan and Co, London first editions 1909. A third volume was added a few years later ….

Thick royal octavo volumes 436 pages and 441 pages with 388 illustrations from photographs and sketches by the author, some in colour. Seven maps at end of Vol I and 3 colour fold out maps at end of Vol II. Original burgundy cloth covered boards with gilt decoration to front cover still quite bright. A little rubbed on the joints and a couple of old marks to the boards. Some age generally, still an excellent set of this valuable account.

Swedish explorer Sven Hedin (1865-1952), despite efforts to stop him, made his way “undercover” into Tibet and explored the southern and western regions. He claimed the discovery of major mountain systems and the sources of major rivers (Brahmaputra, Indus and Subtle) flowing east. He explored extensively around Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash and spent time in Shigatse where he interacted with Panchen Lama. A special Asian collectable.

Classic Travel account Sven Hedin in Tibet

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$390.00

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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

Journal of Landsborough’s Expedition – From Carpentaria – in search of Burke and Wills – with a map showing his route – Rare First Edition 1862

The Crevasse – A Critical Response to “Flaws in the Ice” – [In defence of Douglas Mawson] – Karyn Bradford – signed by the Author.

Trans-Himalaya: Discoveries and Adventures in Tibet – Two Volumes – Sven Hedin – First Editions -1909

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