Travel & Voyages

Russian Antarctic Treaty Medal – Leningrad Mint – 1991

A scarce Antarctic medal celebrating the thirty year anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty.

Cast in bronze, 65mm in diameter, 154 gm. Very strong relief and in fine condition.

The Antarctic Treaty regulates international relations regarding Antarctica. It was signed by 54 parties and came into effect in 1961. The treaty established Antarctica as a scientific preserve with freedom of scientific investigation, banning military interest. The Secretariat is based in Buenos Aires. The Soviet Union being one of twelve countries at the time that had activities on the continent.

The face of the medal has a penguin and young one over a high relief map of Antarctica. Images of a ship, aeroplane and snowmobile representing investigation by sea, air and land. Around the outside “Antarctic Treaty” in the four official languages English, French, Russian and Spanish.

On the reverse a compass sign over another smaller continental image and a dominant Dove of Peace, with appropriate sentiments in Cyrillic.

Antarctic Treaty Celebration – Scarce Russian Medal.

$130.00

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Encountering Terra Australia – The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders – Fornasiero, Monteath and West-Sooby

A first edition hardback published by Wakefield Press, Adelaide in 2004.

A substantial book, small quarto, 411 pages heavily illustrated with some beautiful colour reproduction of the artwork from the voyages. A closed nick to the dustjacket and a gift inscription back of half title, otherwise a fine copy.

Written by three of Australia’s finest historians. Peter Monteath being a descendant of Philip Gidley King.

The Preface deals with the “Encounter” of Baudin and Flinders and the “Lure of the South”.

Part I deals with the “Journey Out” and Charting the Western Coast of Australia … Baudin from Cape Leeuwin to the Boneparte Archipelago. The South-West from Leeuwin to Nuyts Archipelago. The Prospecting of Van Diemen’s Land and the French in Tasmania. Then the race to chart the extended South Coast. The detail of the meeting at Encounter Bay. Flinders and Baudin from Encounter Bay to Port Jackson. Baudin on King Island and the exploration of Kangaroo Island etc.

Part II with the authors views on the “Reputations” arising and the “Artistic and Scientific Records” and the inevitable “Clash of Cultures” ..

A good bibliography at the end although this book contains enough for many on this interesting subject.

A Thorough and Beautifully Illustrated Production on Baudin and Flinders Down Under.

$55.00

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The Story of the Pacific – Van Loon – 1940

First Edition published by George Harrap, London 1940.

Octavo, 315 pages, illustrated from the authors sketches (his usual style) and with end paper maps. Gift inscription across front map otherwise a very good unjacketed copy.

Hendrik Willem Van Loon (1882 -1944) was a prolific Dutch / American writer of historical works. His language is really good and he gets to the point … the publishers of Roget’s Thesaurus specifically honoured him in publications after his death as being the person that most communicated new entries to them… quite an honour.

Here he is writing about the Polynesians and how they came to be in the Pacific … the places they went to and the places they avoided. Amongst all that is elements relating to the discovery of Australia … an interesting and of overlooked work.

The Van loon theories regrading the populating of the Pacific.

$40.00

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Paradise Quest – A Naturalist’s Experiences in New Guinea – Lee Crandall – First Edition 1931

First Edition published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York in 1931. Octavo, 226 pages, 52 illustrations from period photographs … some really special ones.

Crandall was the Curator of Birds at the New York Zoological Park. This is an excellent account of his travels in Papua New Guinea. He journeys up the back of the Owen Stanley Range, meets the Mekeo and Kuni people, the latter being excellent bird catchers. Visits Deva-deva and many Birds of Paradise are seen. Mountain climbs, hidden villages and friendly cannibals (the best type) are all par for the course.

Numerous birds identified include the Sun Bird, New Guinea Pitta, Macklot Pitta, Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Lawes’ Six-plumed Bird of Paradise and the Prince Rudolph, Count Raggi’s, Long-tailed, King Birds of Paradise and, several Bower Birds and the Bonaparte Flycatcher and, many more …

Excellent naturalist’s account – Papua and Birds

$50.00

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Two Voyages to the South Seas – Dumont D’Urville – 2 Volumes

Two large volumes published by the University Press Melbourne 1987. Cream linen covered boards protected by a slipcase, a flicker of age on the spines otherwise very good condition.

Reissued from the original French translated by Helen Rosenman.

Volume I – 312 pages deals with the voyages of the Astrolabe 1826-1829 and,

Volume II – pages 313-634 the voyage of the Astrolabe and Zelee 1837-1840.

Nicely illustrated with 29 maps and charts and 56 plates – some in colour. This is the first account in English of two important voyages to Australasia the Pacific and the Antarctic. The Astrolabe visited Hobart Town, Jervis Bay and Port Jackson whilst the second voyage went to Port Essington as well as Tasmania (again) and the Antarctic. A superb account of the people and natural history encountered. An essential Antarctic item for that element.

Two Special French Voyages by D’Urville

$170.00

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Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator – Edward Whymper -1892

Published by John Murray, London. A second printing, same year as the first, of a special book by the great mountaineer, Edward Whymper.

Large thick octavo, 456 pages. Nicely illustrated and with three maps, one folding and a large folding map in rear pocket. Original cloth covered binding with embellished gilt rule and lettering on front and spine, blind embossed in similar fashion on rear. Showing a little age, as usual, some scattered foxing near ends, otherwise a lovely clean copy.

The classic South American Mountaineering book, Whymper climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo among others. Broader writing includes the natural history and geology of the Andes.

Essential reading for climbers and South American devotee.

Edward Whymper – nothing held him back

$120.00

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Russian Antarctic Treaty Medal – Leningrad Mint – 1991

Encountering Terra Australia – The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders – Fornasiero, Monteath and West-Sooby

The Story of the Pacific – Van Loon – 1940

Paradise Quest – A Naturalist’s Experiences in New Guinea – Lee Crandall – First Edition 1931

Two Voyages to the South Seas – Dumont D’Urville – 2 Volumes

Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator – Edward Whymper -1892

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