Pacific Islands

The Great South Land – Searching for the Antipodes from Classical Scholars to Quiros & Dampier.

Published by Hordern House in 2011 another scholarly catalogue of key works presented in a depth and standard unlikely to be surpassed.

Hardback quarto, in dust jacket, unpaginated but circa 180 pages with 127 rare items. A fine copy.

After a useful introduction we start with “Ideas of a southern continent” … Classical Geographers with works by Strabo, Mela, Macrobious, Ptolemaeus … the Renaissance and later. Leading to Marco-Polo, Mandeville and the “travellers and story tellers”. Dutch exploration and the VOC … Duyfken, Tasman, Pelsaert. Before the Spanish and Portuguese … Varthema, Quiros, Mendana. The “English Adventurers make Landfall” .. Drake, Woodes Rogers, William Dampier. Hakluyt wraps it all up. All up 104 voyagers, travellers or distinguished authors.

The period up to Dampier explained by reference to key works

$40.00

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Special Maritime Book: On the Wind of a Dream (The Saga of the Solace) – Commander Victor Clark – First Edition 1960

A first edition of this sought after and outstanding voyage account.

Commander Victor Clark found himself released from the Admiralty in London and decided to satisfy his adventurous spirit with a round the world voyage, which was to take six years.

The Solace was purchased, and his adventure began sailing south and west to take the route through the Panama Canal. Galapagos, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Society and Cook Islands. Then to Palmerston Island … a whole story must be written about this strange place … a form of English being the language of the day and many of the people descend from their Birmingham England forefather. Unfortunately, Solace was wrecked here which meant Clark had to undertake a full year stop over, but because of which we learn something special about Palmerston Island .

Published by Hutchinson in 1960 a first edition. Octavo, 308 pages, illustrations from photographs taken on the voyage, end paper maps a bit more informative than most. With the rare, un-clipped dust jacket albeit taped at some time along the top and bottom of spine.

This book commands significant prices around the world … apart from being hard to come by we feel the observations and writing, the events and adventures, the detail on the unusual Palmerston Island and its society make it special and therefore desired by those in the know.

Victor Clark RN in the Solace and what an adventure

$180.00

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Towards Tahiti – W.I.B. Crealock – First Edition 1955

A very good near fine copy of the first edition of Crealock’s second book on voyaging.

Published by Peter Davis, London in 1955. Octavo, 263 pages plus “Calendar of trip” at rear. Nicely illustrated from photographs from the voyage.

William Crealock sailed across the Atlantic. This is another voyage in 1951 from Panama towards Tahiti hitting on San Blas Islands; Galapagos; Mangareva (for fish and hips!); the Marquesas; Hao and Tahiti. His fellow sailors Tom and Diana (ex fashion model) Hepworth. Superb read great images.

The vessel was the Arthur Rogers a Brixham Trawler and what a beautiful boat she was.

Crealock went on to be one of the great yacht designers from 1960 through 1990’s … built a beauty for actor William Hurt!

Crealock in the Pacific one of the great 1950’s sailing accounts

$40.00

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The Voyage of the Dove [Around the World] – Robin Lee Graham

Robin Graham set sail at sixteen years of age and sailed the World … can there be a better story.

A first edition published by Angus & Robertson in 1972. Large format octavo, 199 pages, nicely illustrated with images from colour photographs and end paper maps. Very good if not better condition.

Setting off from San Pedron in California, alone except for two kittens …. Five years and 33,000 miles later he arrived back home. In between he found love in the Fiji Islands where he met a Californian girl … his drive to sail single handed saw them separate only to meet up again in South Africa … later married (twice) had a baby and lived a new life in Montana. Super sailing super story.

The Dove – the true story of an incredible voyage and a special relationship.

$30.00

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Into the Blue – Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before – Tony Horwitz.

Published by Allen & Unwin in 2003 a substantial softcover, 480 pages, illustrated appropriately, very good like new condition.

Horwitz follows James Cook as if on all three of his famous voyages of exploration. From the very first page this book has you hooked in what Bill Bryson describes as an “enthralling excursion around the Pacific”. Even for those that have read the first hand accounts and the monumental works of Beaglehole we suggest this will provide a new perspective

Captain Cook by Horwitz – a new take with superb perspective.

$25.00

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Blown Away [Six Years Sailing in the Pacific] – Herb Payson

A new edition softcover published by Sheridan House in 1995, 252 pages, in super condition.

Herb and Nancy Payson give up the nightclubs of Los Angeles and in a 36 foot ketch spend the next six years plus with their family in the Pacific. Adventure ensues, and not without some difficulties. They tried to settle down afterwards in Maine but not for long before they were back permanently under sail. An easy going narrative live and in the moment.

Payson’s in the Pacific leading a perfect sailing life …

$25.00

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The Great South Land – Searching for the Antipodes from Classical Scholars to Quiros & Dampier.

Special Maritime Book: On the Wind of a Dream (The Saga of the Solace) – Commander Victor Clark – First Edition 1960

Towards Tahiti – W.I.B. Crealock – First Edition 1955

The Voyage of the Dove [Around the World] – Robin Lee Graham

Into the Blue – Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before – Tony Horwitz.

Blown Away [Six Years Sailing in the Pacific] – Herb Payson

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