Asia

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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Present Day Japan – Campbell Davidson – 1912

Published in 1912 this is a super book on Japan by Campbell Davidson.

Published by Fisher Unwin, London. Thick octavo, 366 pages with approx. 60 illustrations, many from period photographs. Impossible not to mention the embossed decorative cover and spine … truly makes the book.

The author writes beautifully in the first person. After a First Impressions introduction we take in Yokohama. Travelling in Japan and what to expect … including “out-door baths”. The National Faith and hidden in there the conquest of Korea. Then on to Kyoto and its beautiful temples; Nikko and the Sacred Bridge; Tokyo its size and simplicity and a part devoted interestingly to Japanese Theatre and “the Forty-seven Ronins”.

Japan a substantial account of early 20thC Japan.

$90.00

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Original engraving from the Baudin voyage – A Young Malay Slave Girl from Roti Island seen at Kupang.

Ile de Rotti (Rotte), Asterina, jeune esclave malaise

Original hand coloured stipple engraving. Good strong clean example with excellent bright original colouring. The stipple effect is striking. 32cm by 24 cm, strong laid paper, very good condition with a few innocent marks.

Engraved by J Milbert Lambert after a drawing by Nicholas-Martin Petit, official artist on the Baudin expedition. Published at Paris by Bertrand as part of the most beautifully illustrated of the great voyages – Voyages of Discoveries in Terra Australia.

Price $290.00 matted ready to frame.

Beautiful study from the remarkable work to follow the Baudin voyage down under.

$290.00

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The Malay Archipelago -The Land of the Orang-Utan and the Bird of Paradise, with Studies of Man and Nature – Alfred Russel Wallace

Wallace’s great book dedicated to Charles Darwin. Beautifully written. An early fourth edition published by Macmillan in 1872. Nevertheless scarce and sought after.

Octavo, 653 pages. Re-cased at some time with the spine and front laid down; with the desired Orang-utan gilt device retained on front and similarly bird of paradise retained on front. Some marks near front but generally in good condition. Priced to condition for a scarce desirable item.

Wallace collected over 125,000 specimens identifying thousands of new species during this expedition. This book represents the backbone of his discoveries (The Wallace line) that supports the “Origin of Species”. Well illustrated with maps and engravings

Wallace – Monumental work – vies with “Origin”

$270.00

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Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

A strange one appears to be effectively self published but through the great Bernard Quaritch, London. Limited to only 150 copies.

A most interesting account of the Portuguese Explorer who is attributed with the Discovery of Brazil. Born into a noble family circa 1467. In his discovery years he was likely the first person on the planet to step foot on four continents all in one voyage of 1500 when he did a significant exploration of the north east coast of South America and stuck the flag in the ground for Portugal. He then followed Vasco da Gama to the east and India in search of those valuable spices.

Large squarish octavo, 72 pages. Original calf backed red cloth covered boards, gilt titling along spine. A very good copy of a scarce item.

Pedro Cabral an oft overlooked Explorer

$120.00

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The Travel Books [the Far East and Spain] – Somerset Maugham

A triple serving of Maugham … On a Chinese screen; The Gentleman in the Parlour and Don Fernando.

Thick octavo, 148, 170 and 146 pages of Maugham on the move. Published by Heinemann, London in 1955. A sign of age on the dust jacket edges, otherwise a very good copy especially given its age.

“The Gentleman in the Parlour” records a journey from Rangoon to Haipong … real Somerset Maugham territory and (as he says) is an exercise in style.

“On a Chinese Screen” is a reflection on his travels in China during 1920.

“Don Fernando”, almost self explanatory, is a Maugham Spanish classic. Whilst included under this “Travel” umbrella it is a historical account set in the times of Velasquez and El Greco … and obviously Don Fernando.

Somerset Maugham perhaps at his best in the East with a helping of Spain thrown in …

$30.00

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The Natural History of Ceylon – J Emerson Tennant

Present Day Japan – Campbell Davidson – 1912

Original engraving from the Baudin voyage – A Young Malay Slave Girl from Roti Island seen at Kupang.

The Malay Archipelago -The Land of the Orang-Utan and the Bird of Paradise, with Studies of Man and Nature – Alfred Russel Wallace

Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

The Travel Books [the Far East and Spain] – Somerset Maugham

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