Travel & Voyages

The Natural History of Ceylon – J Emerson Tennant

A good facsimile of this scarce book by the man who knew Ceylon so well. First published by Longman, London in 1861.

Longer title … Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon with Narratives and Anecdotes illustrative of the Habits and Instincts of the Mammalia, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes etc including a Monograph of The Elephant and a description of the Modes of Capturing and Training It- with engravings from original drawings.

Re-published by Asian Educational Services, Delhi, Madras in 1999. Octavo, 500 pages, embossed faux leather binding, gilt a touch worn, a little age but a good faithful facsimile of an important work of the period.

Ceylon and its Natural History, more than a “sketch” by Tennent

$60.00

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United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

Published by the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington VA.

Largish softcover, 70 pages. A manual on how to do things in the colder climates. Interspersed with historical information which provides perspective and readability.

Starts with a section on the first US expedition sealers and then the industrious Nathaniel Palmer in the 47 foot sloop Hero.

Usual chapters on preparations, safety, health, travel to and from etc. More interesting chapters on Conservation, the Stations and Vessels, Handling Cores etc Sanctuaries …

Very interesting section detailing the Historic Monuments – 60 in all and a summary of the Treaty which we should all understand before the day of reckoning – not too far away.

Is there a Polar Explorer /Historian in you – be prepared and informed!

$40.00

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Islands of Men – Inside Melanesia – Colin Simpson.

Another good book about Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Hebrides and our favourite regional island Mer – by the knowledgeable Colin Simpson.

A first edition published in 1955 by Angus and Robertson. Octavo, 248 pages, nicely illustrated from photographs, some in colour, with decorative end papers. Dust jacket a little worn – still a very good copy.

Ion Idriess wrote about Mer and here we have Simpson putting his own keenly observed view of the island and the culture of its inhabitants.

Simpson in the broader Melanesia – unique view of customs – great images.

$30.00

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The Springs of Adventure – Wilfred Noyce

A first edition published by John Murray, London in 1958.

A super book about adventure by the definition of adventurer Wilfred Noyce.

Octavo, 240 pages, illustrated from photographs. Chipped dust jacket and page edges a bit foxed otherwise a very serviceable copy.

Noyce was a Cambridge Graduate and Master at Charterhouse. In WWII he was in Nepal and found time to climb a couple of very high mountains. Later he would be in the South Col party about which he would write another book. Here he mixes his exploits with those of other under the true adventure label … that and his talent for writing makes for good reading.

Wilfred Noyce about true adventure including his own

$25.00

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Isambard Kingdom Brunel [The Great 19thC Engineer] – L.T.C. Rolt

A first edition published by Longmans, London in 1958.

Probably the best book about IKB surely the greatest engineer of the 19th Century and keeping all things relative perhaps the greatest ever.

Large octavo, 345, illustrated throughout. A little age an a hint of “parfum de library” … otherwise a nice copy.

A weighty biography which deals with every aspect of his engineering prowess … his bridges, tunnels, Great Western Railways and the monstrous stem ships that broke the mould in design and scale …

This book has obviously been owned by an admirer of the great man. An image of IKB has been carefully manicured and pasted opposite the preface and many ephemeral items have been placed in strategic spots throughout. We have left them there as it give the book a unique character which we do not wish to spoil.

Brunel – Engineering Design came naturally to him.

$40.00

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The Great White South or, With Scott in the Antarctic – Herbert Ponting – 1923

Subtitle … Being and account of Experiences with Captain Scott’s South Pole Expedition and of the Nature life of the Antarctic.

Herbert Ponting’s highly regarded and popular contribution to the heroic era library.

Published by McBride , New York. Printed from the UK plates. Octavo, 305 pages plus In Memoriam, with an introduction by Kathleen Scott which has numerous references to Scott’s Diary in which he praises Ponting’s abilities and contribution. Illustrated throughout from images taken from Ponting photographs (circa 175) and a further two drawings and a map. Original deep blue cloth covered boards with gilt titles and Terra Nova emblem to front, rough cut page edges as issued. A tiny bit of age, really very clean inside and a delightful copy.

This book, about the fateful Tera Nova expedition, is well written and provides a different perspective. The images are sublime making the narrative come to life in a manner that could not be done otherwise.

Ponting essential Antarctic and photography.

$120.00

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The Natural History of Ceylon – J Emerson Tennant

United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

Islands of Men – Inside Melanesia – Colin Simpson.

The Springs of Adventure – Wilfred Noyce

Isambard Kingdom Brunel [The Great 19thC Engineer] – L.T.C. Rolt

The Great White South or, With Scott in the Antarctic – Herbert Ponting – 1923

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