Travel & Voyages

Sinfonia Antartica – Vaughan Williams – London Philharmonic- 1970 Recording

In 1947 Vaughan William’s was invited to compose music for the Ealing Studios film “Scott of the Antarctic”. He was gripped by the subject and by 1949 was reshaping the themes into a Symphony.

It was first performed in Manchester in 1953. This superb vinyl recording by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult in 1970.

Each movement has a literary superscription. In some early recordings these were read out (once by Geilgud) although it is clear that Vaughan Williams intended them to be read silently by the listener, especially as he instructed that the third movement should flow continuously into the fourth for dramatic effect.

The words to the Epilogue come from Scott’s Last Journal … “I do not regret this journey; we took risks, we knew we took them, things have come out against us, therefore we have no cause for complaint”

Antartica is a deliberate spelling.

Vaughan Williams provides … a gigantic reflection on man’s isolation and ultimate vulnerability within the extreme untamed wilderness.

$40.00

Updating cart…

Antarctica – Evangelos Papathanassiou – Scarce Vinyl Pressing 1983

Fine copy of the soundtrack by “Vangelis” to Koreyoshi Kurahara’s 1983 film about the 1958 ill-fated Japanese scientific expedition to the South Pole, and the dramatic rescue from impossible weather conditions on their return journey. It’s as much about the survival of some of the dogs initially left behind as the people. Vangelis was invited to produce his dramatic electronic music score after the worldwide success of Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner.

The film was not that successful overseas, whilst being the Japanese sponsored entry it was not accepted in the foreign language section of the Academy Awards. Back home in Japan the beautiful huskies managed to get the film a Popularity Award.

Vangelis on the other hand shows his usual innovation and brilliance. Rare Japanese pressing. Perfect Condition.

Best listened to with the aircon very low

$40.00

Updating cart…

The Search for the “Kobenhaven” and other true sea stories of the Depression Years – Minto and Stevens

Published by Graeme Andrews Productions, Epping in 1984. Number 530 of a 1,000 print run. Soft cover, octavo 52 pages, well illustrated. Cover showing some wear from use but really a very good copy. From the maritime library of Michael Connell and carries his bookplate.

The authors Thomas Minto and Eric Stevens. The main story is the search for the Kobenhaven, a magnificent five-masted Danish trading vessel which went missing on a voyage from the River Plate to Melbourne in 1928. The steam powered Junee was sent to find her, Minto was third mate. Alas the Kobenhaven was never found what we have here is a reminiscence of the attempts of the Junee in very difficulty conditions.

The rescue of the Milluna was successful and the last voyage of the Parma is nicely told by Eric Steven who crewed that voyage.

Superb photographic images throughout.

Nice maritime trilogy by Minto and Stevens

$20.00

Updating cart…

Easter Island Monuments – Cook’s Second Voyage – Benard Paris 1785

An original copper engraving from 1785 of the monuments at Easter Island. Engraved by Benard and published in Paris as part of the French version of Cook’s Second Voyage.

“Moumens dans l’isle de Paques” a deep and dramatic depiction. Classical overtones and yet in a modern sense even “Daliesque” … we really admire the structure.

Printed area 36cm by 21cm with near invisible central fold as issued. Strong thick paper and a strong dark ink image.

Would frame nicely in Voyager uncoloured map style in cream mat with black core and charcoal frame. Here priced unframed at $190.00. Just enquire if you wish the framing option.

Striking Image for the Easter island Curios

$90.00

Updating cart…

Mon Voyage Aux Terres Australes – Journal Personnel du Commandant Baudin illustre par Lesueur et Petit

A special book, in the French language, published by Imprimerie Nationale, Paris in the year 2000. Large octavo, 467 pages original illustrated softcover. Very high standard of colour illustration.

Illustrations include 2 sketch plans, 2 maps, 4 charts and 10 facsimiles of original manuscripts, plus 96 colour plates with 195 illustrations – including 5 insects, 5 animals, 96 fish and marine animals, many relating to Australia. Also some views and many coastal views and 10 magnificent portraits of aboriginals. Very good near fine condition.

The journal of Baudin commences in March 1800 at Le Harve. Baudin had been given command of an expedition to map the South West and South coast of Australia. He had two ships, Geographie and Naturaliste the latter captained by Hamelin. They had a total of nine naturalists on board. By May 1801 they has reached the West Coast of New Holland. Moving east they famously met Flinders at Encounter Bay. They sailed to Sydney and down to Van Diemen’s Land and reached the d’Entrecasteaux Channel and then Maria Island by November 1801. It is claimed that more than 2,500 new species were discovered on the voyage.

Incidentally, it is now claimed that naturalist Francois Peron later wrote a report for Napoleon on ways to invade and capture the British Colony at Sydney Cove.

Even if you have limited French this book is worthwhile for the magnificence of the illustrations.

Baudin his Journal in French as it should be …

$80.00

Updating cart…

The Islands of the Pacific – from Old to New – James Alexander – First Edtion 1895

James Alexander was the son of Hawaiian missionary William P Alexander. Published by the American Tract Society, New York in 1895. A substantial work, octavo 503 pages and appendices. Illustrated throughout with nice pictorial covers in good condition.

After three chapters of general introduction there are discrete chapters on The Society Islands, Austral Islands; Peal Islands; Hawaiian Islands; The Marquesas; Harvey Islands; Samoa; Micronesia; Tonga; New Zealand; Fiji; Melanesia; Pitcairn and Norfolk. An interesting chapter in retrospect on the “Future of the Pacific Ocean”.

The appendices provide good information on the Ancient Polynesians, Languages, European Appropriations and a list of active Missionaries and where they were. The seventy illustrations include simple but useful maps, and images form early photographs albeit sometimes posed.

Alexander covers some ground … and some ocean … in this well structured book.

$60.00

Updating cart…

Sinfonia Antartica – Vaughan Williams – London Philharmonic- 1970 Recording

Antarctica – Evangelos Papathanassiou – Scarce Vinyl Pressing 1983

The Search for the “Kobenhaven” and other true sea stories of the Depression Years – Minto and Stevens

Easter Island Monuments – Cook’s Second Voyage – Benard Paris 1785

Mon Voyage Aux Terres Australes – Journal Personnel du Commandant Baudin illustre par Lesueur et Petit

The Islands of the Pacific – from Old to New – James Alexander – First Edtion 1895

Product Categories