Non-fiction

Small Boat Against the Sea – Derek King and Peter Bird

Published by Paul Elek, London a first edition 1976. Octavo, 244 pages nicely illustrated. A very good copy.

The subtitle … “The story of the first trans-world rowing attempt” has to be taken with a pinch of sea salt as this unlikely pair “only” made it across the Atlantic. Regardless a pretty good achievement and a remarkable story. At the start there were three with the pretty Carol Maystone who jumped ship so to speak in Morocco … don’t blame her!

Derek and Peter had originally intended to have a bespoke rower built for the global trip. Lack of money canned that idea … but lady luck arrived and John Fairfax offered them the Britannia II in which he and Sylvia Cook had rowed across the Pacific.

Very readable honest account … exciting

$30.00

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Against All Odds (Around Alone in the BOC Challenge) – Alan Nebauer

First edition , McGraw Hill, 1996. Large format, octavo, 166 pages, endpaper maps, illustrated well and with concluding table of results and glossary of nautical terms.

Australian Alan Nebauer successfully completed the 1994-95 BOC “Single Handed Around the World Challenge”. He came fourth in Class II (12.2 – 15.2m).

Much more was achieved and experienced than simply that result. One the first leg across the Atlantic he rescued Josh Hall from the UK from his sinking Class I vessel Gartmore. This story alone makes the book a worthwhile read.

Then round the Horn with a Jury Rig and then trouble with the rudder … all very testing!

Sadly, it also records the death of Harry Mitchell from the UK who was lost at sea in very hard conditions approaching Cape Horn from the west.

Australian Nebauer in the “Newcastle Australia” makes it all the way … an incredible achievement

$30.00

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Two Against Cape Horn – Hal Roth

Published by Stanford Maritime, London a first English edition 1979. Octavo, 288 pages well illustrated with photographs and great charts supporting the exciting narrative. Very good near fine condition.

A quite remarkable book by the adventurous Hal Roth. With his wife Margaret they he had already completed a Pacific voyage that won them the Blue water medal of the Cruising Club of America.

Having purchased the “Whisper” they decided to Round the Horn but not before a most interesting sailing experience through the vast archipelago of islands to the north of the Cape.

The book is enhanced by references to great historic voyages through these channels. Including HMS Darwin on Beagle and before that Lord Anson and his fleet and the loss of the Wager.

Unfortunately, within striking distance of the Cape the Whisper is forced aground and damaged. Surprisingly, help is nearby, they are found and the boat repaired and they finally succeed with their objective.

A special book about the Horn and much more plus historical perspective

$30.00

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Map of the Middle East – Isaak Tirion – 1732

An original copper engraved map by Dutch cartographer Isaak Tirion (1705-1765) of the broader Middle East. Published in Amsterdam and dated in the plate 1732.

Very good original condition with centrefold as issued. Relief shown for all mountainous regions. Incredible detail throughout with many historical references. An extensive map taking in the whole of the area between the Red Sea, The Gulf, The Black Sea and the Caspian.

34cm by 26cm with borders to top and bottom, narrow at the sides. A good very clean example of a rare and detailed map.

Tirion produced several Atlases and Dutch town plans. Some suggest that his maps were based on those of Guillaume de L’isle although we see them as being much more detailed than de L’ísle’s standard.

Price $120.00 unframed

One of the best 18th Century Maps of the Region

$120.00

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Plan of Port Hunter (with View of Engagement with Native Canoes) – William Bradley – 1794

A scarce item in fine condition. Plan of Port Hunter surveyed by Lt W Bradley engraved by J Walker. Published (London) by A Dalrymple September 5th 1794.

With inset map showing part of Duke of York Islands and part of a the coast of New Britain. With an ancillary view of Port Hunter showing the ship firing on native canoes, and natives with spears on the beach. This view being a bellicose version of a watercolour painting by midshipman George Raper.

Printed on heavy paper, strong plate mark, image 22cm by 16.5cm with wide borders. Very good near fine condition.

William Bradley was 1st Lieutenant of HMS Sirius which foundered off Norfolk Island, Captain Hunter in Command. The ships crew were carried back to England in the hired Dutch transport ship Waaksamhey’d. On that voyage they anchored at to be named Port Hunter and were attacked by natives in canoes as depicted.

An interesting Plan showing depth soundings and anchorages. Pt Maule; Pt Mitchell; Ball’s Point and Bradley’s Island are identified. North is orientated to the foot. A “watering place” is identified and the intensity of the palm trees along the shore is clear. The myriad of inner coral fringes is suggested along with comments re bottom condition … rocky, mud and loose coral and sand and mud.

Published as part of the East India Pilot by A. Dalrymple (1762-1801) where it was plate 491. This version sold separately, priced sixpence under the Hydrographical Office Seal in the top left. As such could be a very scarce example.

Price $160.00 unframed. ask if you wish framing option …

Unusual and scarce chart with image of engagement with native canoes . Bradley, First Fleet Lieutenant and published by Dalrymple.

$160.00

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

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

Thick 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. Top edge richly gilt. Original burgundy cloth covered boards with gilt decoration to front cover still bright. A little rubbed and a couple of areas of fading on the spine of Vol I and front board of Vol II. Other than that a very smart set very clean barely a mark inside and the maps free of damage.

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

$490.00

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Small Boat Against the Sea – Derek King and Peter Bird

Against All Odds (Around Alone in the BOC Challenge) – Alan Nebauer

Two Against Cape Horn – Hal Roth

Map of the Middle East – Isaak Tirion – 1732

Plan of Port Hunter (with View of Engagement with Native Canoes) – William Bradley – 1794

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

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