Travel & Voyages

The Dutch Seaborne Empire 1600-1800 – C.R. Boxer

Published by Hutchinson, London 1n 1965, a first edition. The author Charles Boxer was the Professor of Portuguese at Kings College, London at the time – he would likely have been the Dutch Professor also .. if they had had one.

Large octavo, 326 pages, illustrated throughout, very good dust jacket, a lightly embossed stamp on title,. A very good copy of a special work now hard to find.

Not your usual narrative, this book looks at the reasons behind the rise of the Dutch as a major seafaring nation from the mid 1600’s for over a century. Peace was signed after an eighty year war with Spain in 1648 and for the Dutch the seagoing expansion was near to phenomenal in terms of speed and ambition. Useful appendices include a chronology 1568-1795 which provides a framework …

The author Charles Boxer was an incredibly colourful character. Born into a military family (although his mothers family had been early sheep farmers in Tasmania). He enlisted and found himself in Japan in the 1930’s. Then a full blown spy in Hong Kong at the beginning of War II, imprisoned by the Japanese for three years. He married the most beautiful woman in Hong Kong , Ursula Tulloch, but left her for a life with the equally glamorous American writer Emily Hahn. Back in England his depth of knowledge was recognised in receiving the Lisbon sponsored Professorship which he made is own.

The Dutch … their power at sea and what was behind it …

$40.00

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Tibetan Venture – C.G. Lewis – First edition 1967

A very good copy of the first edition published by Robert Hale, London in 1967.

Octavo, 191 pages, illustrated from original photographs of the travels – which go broader than Tibet.

The author was a real swat at school, Captain of his House at canterbury etc. Modern languages at King College Cambridge. As a preliminary to seeking ordination he travelled extensively, including to working with Tibetan refugees in India – this led him eventually to the mountains and meeting the Dalai Lama with whom he held interesting deep discussions.

In between we are off to Rangoon, various temples [you should see the Golden Pagoda] and the Himalayas curiously linked to Singapore.

We like it and you can never get enough books about Tibet

A thoughtful and well written working travel account in super shape.

$35.00

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Faeroe Islands – The Atlantic Islands – a Study of the Faeroe Life and Scene – Kenneth Williamson – First Edition 1948

First Edition published by Collins, London in 1948. Octavo, 360 pages, with the elusive dust jacket albeit foxed. Book a bit aged but excuse it for its now rarity.

The author, Williamson, was staged on the Faeroe Islands during WWII and this book is based on the seemingly ample spare time he had whilst there.

Forward by the distinguished Eric Linklater.

Illustrated with the authors pen drawings and from original photographs.

Good chapter on the whale hunting festival “Grindarakstur’ which will interest those that are interested. Excellent on the natural history, terrain, outer islands etc with a super Glossary of Faeroese Words and index of place names for those challenged by modern devices!

The Faeroes more than just a trivia quiz subject.

$70.00

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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 tog

$140.00

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The Eastern Archipelago – Adams – First Edition 1880

… A description of the Scenery, Animal and Vegetable Life, People, and Physical Wonders of the Islands in the Easter Sea.

Published by Nelson, London in 1880 a first edition. Octavo, 576 pages with 54 illustrations.. Nicely decorated cover, a little rubbed, remnant od prize giving label in ends, still a good copy.

With the success of Wallace’s Malay Archipelago there was heightened interest in the islands of the East Indies. Prolific writer William Henry Davenport Adams saw an opportunity and compiled this easily read book on the region. Takes in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, Celebes, Sarawak, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Papua and the Philippines.

Special book on the very East and its many islands.

$90.00

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The Dutch Seaborne Empire 1600-1800 – C.R. Boxer

Tibetan Venture – C.G. Lewis – First edition 1967

Faeroe Islands – The Atlantic Islands – a Study of the Faeroe Life and Scene – Kenneth Williamson – First Edition 1948

Commemorating the First Transantarctic Crossing 1957-8 – Fuchs and Hillary.

Special Polar References – Bonhams Polar Sale[s] Catalogue[s] of 2012

The Eastern Archipelago – Adams – First Edition 1880

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