Exploration

The Itinerary of Ludovico di Varthema of Bologna from 1502 to 1508; With a Discourse on Varthema and His Travels in Southern Asia by Sir Richard Carnac Temple – Argonaut Press Limited Numbered Edition 1928 – Edited Penzer

Limited to 975 copies printed on Japon Vellum printed by Walter Lewis at the University Press, Cambridge – this numbered 642.

Well bound quarto, blue cloth covered boards quarter backed in vellum, titles gilt to spine and a lovely gilt embossed image to front taken from the original 16th Century work. Effectively two works – the lengthy “Discourse” after introductions … preface, tables, analysis etc of lxxxv (85 pages) then work itself from the 19th Century Badger/ Winter translation 121 pages, including useful index. Useful maps where appropriate in the discourse. Very good near fine copy.

Verthema travelled at the time of Drake and Magellan which provides perspective and in 1502 he went from Italy to Egypt and Syria and then to Arabia Deserta [Damascus, Medina, Jedda etc] … then in 1503 to Arabia Feliz [Aden, Dhamar, Lahaj etc] and on to Ethiopia in 1504. By later that year he was in Persia [Hormuz, Muscat etc] and India [Gogha, Cambay, Chaul, Calicut etc] Then to Ceylon in 1505 … Bengal and east to the Malacca and the Spice Islands, Java and Borneo. On his way back he assisted the Portuguese in various skirmishes – they being the dominant invasive force at the time. Back home in 1507 via Mozambique.

What makes this book particularly interesting is the history of the translations and the impact of early “reviewers” views. The original work was in Italian, translated to Latin and then English by Richard Eden in 1577. Various others held view and the influential traveller Garcia da Orta Poo Pooed Varthema’s account. Because of this and similar the account was thought to be full of fiction … not so and this book goes a long way to settle the myth and put Verthema back where he belongs as a truly remarkable early traveller.

His account of being chased by elephant in Africa is worth the read alone.

Verthema’s extensive really 16th Century Travels – Once Poo Pooed – but now seen as true.

$190.00

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The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

Longer title – The Spirit Ridden Konde. A record of the interesting but steadily vanishing customs & ideas gathered during twenty four year residence amongst these shy inhabitants of the Lake Nyasa region, from witch doctors, diviners, hunters, fishers & every native source.

Published by Lippincott a first American edition 1925. A beautifully presented book with serious content regarding the Konde people of Tanzania.

Octavo, 318 pages with folding map and 21 illustrations from photographs. Strikingly vivid blue cloth covered binding with gilt image of native to front, titles to spine. A very good copy.

Mackenzie explores the complex relationship of the Konde people with the spirit world and how it affects their daily lives and their rituals and traditions. He traces their origins and how they migrated to the Lake Nyasa region. Good descriptions of initiation rites of both young men and women. A super book.

No better book about the Konde of Lake Nyasa

$220.00

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Mawson’s Papers – Innes and Duff – Robyn Mundy’s Copy.

Thick softcover published by The Mawson Institute for Antarctic Research The University of Adelaide in 1990.

Rather scarce and we are not sure why .. maybe they are all tied up with Institutions … maybe it was a pessimistic print run.

Carries the modern book label of adventurer and writer Roby Mundy and a thoughtful note by the gift giver “happy hunting”. The kind message clearly relates to the research Mundy would have been doing for her novel “Nature of Ice” – all about the Mawson Polar expedition, Frank Hurley’s photographs and much more. Mundy also wrote a super book “Cold Coast” which revolves around the first female trapper in Svalbad … another Voyager favourite island group.

Back to the Mawson Papers which are richly described in the unusually paginated work [probably circa 350 pages]. After a brief Forward by Jacka and a Biographical note by same we have various introductory papers re how to use the guide. Not a list of items – everything is described and put into context. Nicely illustrated from Hurley photographs, charts etc … it’s the complete business.

Mawson no more comprehensive source of his work

$80.00

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The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

This is Ion idriess’s adaption of the incredible exploratory journey of the Jardine Brothers from Rockhampton all the way up to Somerset at the very tip of Cape York. They drove cattle all the way – their father already there by more comfortable means – he must have been a pretty confident parent. They had help of course but it was their termination that drove the party through – they didn’t all make it – it was pretty hostile on the way.

Printed on “war paper” so has the characteristic even toning of the pages, a pity because its otherwise clean inside. The dust jacket a trifle worn – pretty good really and truly scarce.

Published by Angus and Robertson. Octavo, 222 pages, illustrated frontispiece of an attack on the party.

Idriess on the Jardines – a rare one.

$60.00

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Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

This is the deluxe edition by Genesis Publications in association with Hedley Australia printed in 1986. Originally published with another work here presented alone. Quarter leather bound with gilt Flinders to front, impressed title to spine which has faux raised bands, all page edges richly gilt … a quality expected from Genesis.

Fine condition. A heavy book unsuitable for Overseas purchase.

Folio, 365 pages of facsimile and useful index at the end … Geoffrey Ingleton’s useful introductory note helps one in to the manuscript. This is Flinders in Mauritius incarcerated by the French on his way black to England to complete his charts and publication which was to change the name of the lucky continent to Australia. Flinders hand surprisingly readable which is what makes for a good facsimile manuscript … still needs a little patience and the index helps you around

We say incarcerated, and he did have his freedom removed, but he had an easy time of it .. albeit rather lengthy and annoying.

Flinders in Mauritius beautifully presented.

$190.00

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Out with the Old Voyagers – Horace Groser – 1908

By Horace G Groser and published by Andrew Melrose, London a third edition with our preferred “gold theme” covers. The book that was the inspiration behind Voyager.

Octavo, 276 pages with 37 full page illustrations. Pictorial covers to die for with the super Voyager script … like modern day Vivaldi. Free endpaper excised and a little top of frontis – a name that was not to be left. Otherwise a super solid copy.

A solid history of early seafaring starting with Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Columbus, Magellan and the Cabots. Frobisher to the North and Sir John Hawkins out to the West Indies. Drake around the World … Davis to Greenland, Lancaster. And then Berents to Nova Zembla. The 16th Century just over and the four voyages of Henry Hudson to complete.

Voyager’s favourite inspirational Voyagers

$70.00

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The Itinerary of Ludovico di Varthema of Bologna from 1502 to 1508; With a Discourse on Varthema and His Travels in Southern Asia by Sir Richard Carnac Temple – Argonaut Press Limited Numbered Edition 1928 – Edited Penzer

The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

Mawson’s Papers – Innes and Duff – Robyn Mundy’s Copy.

The Great Trek [The Expedition of the Jardine Brothers in Far North Queensland] – Ion Idriess – 1947 Edition

Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

Out with the Old Voyagers – Horace Groser – 1908

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