Non-fiction

Australian Poetry – The Road to Burrandong [A Collection] – George Althofer – First Work – Self Published 1936

George William Francis Althofer (1903-1993) was an Australian botanist, author and poet. He founded the 410 acre Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum specialising in Australian native plants.

This was his first proper publication. Quite a number of the poems had found their way into various rural magazines previously. Self published in 1936. Small octavo, original thick paper wraps, 62 pages, staple bound, with 37 poems of various lengths. Poetry of a good standard, easy on the mind often reflecting on the Australian bush ….

Signed by the poet on the title. Pretty good condition albeit the spine is tired, internally bright and make allowances for a very rare item.

A Voyager favourite rare Australian poetry.

$25.00

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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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Tracy Edwards – Living Every Second – First Edition Autobiography 2001

A fine first edition of Tracy Edwards autobiography published by Hodder in 2001. Royal octavo hardback, 430 pages, perfect jacket, illustrated with images from coloured photographs.

What an incredible person, hard to summarise. Tough childhood leaving home at 16 to work in Athens in and around boats. Serious sailing … meets King Hussein who actively encourages her and in time sponsors her efforts. Buys and refits the ocean going “Maiden” and brings together an all female team to seriously challenge the Whitbread Round-the-World yacht Race in 1989, finishing second in class and winning two of the six stages. Becomes Yachtsman of the Year, MBE etc. Later tries for the Jules Verne but is de-masted off Chile. A really readable account of the very likable Tracy Edwards.

After this book was published her life continued its very ups and very downs … another book could be written.

Tracy Edwards nothing stops her …

$30.00

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When the Crew Matter Most [Trans-Atlantic Race - West to East] – Erroll Bruce -1963

First edition of this yachting classic published by Stanley Paul, Lonon in 1961. Octavo, 184 pages, illustrated from original photographs, charts etc. A very good copy, albeit the dust jacket has edge chips and a decent on lower front left. Internally very clean.

Erroll Bruce one of the most successful transatlantic sailing competitor. This book focuses on the 1960 race the wrong way from Bermuda across and north around the Orkneys finishing after 3,500 miles in Denmark.

The first part of the book deals in some detail with the preparations for the race, and then we are off just in time for high seas. Bruce and his crew in the 36 foot Belmore won the small class crossing in 24 days.

Erroll Bruce backs his crew in a gripping reverse Atlantic race.

$25.00

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Manuscript Letter – Italian Astronomer Giuseppe Armellini – Portorecanati – 19th August 1922

Returning proofs and with suggestions of a mathematical nature based on “derivate ordinaries” … ordinary derivatives. Our calculus a little rusty as also our Italian … appears to be connected to Maxwell’s Laws.

Giuseppe Armellini (1887-1958) was born and died in Rome. He was Professor of Physics and Astronomy at several Italian Universities and Director of the Rome Astronomical Observatory for over 30 years. It was in the year of this letter [1922] that he took up his position at the Observatory of the Campidoglio which in 1936 he transferred to Monte Mario. A fire destroyed the Observatory in 1957 … inconsolable Armellini died the following year.

Armellini published several works … the first, in 1911, based on Newtonian principles. Over his career he developed several theories and principles. He will be forever known for Armellini’s Law {in 1922 also] which determines mathematically the distances of the planets from the sun in our solar system. The key to this understanding is the Armellini constant “D” … which is 1.53 but you must start at minus 2 for Mercury. Curiosities exist in its application … from them Armellini is awarded the honour of having predicted the large asteroid/ minor planet Chiron which was not confirmed until well after his death.

Armellini explained the Solar System – Manuscript letter with Scientific content

$140.00

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Australian Poetry – The Road to Burrandong [A Collection] – George Althofer – First Work – Self Published 1936

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

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

Tracy Edwards – Living Every Second – First Edition Autobiography 2001

When the Crew Matter Most [Trans-Atlantic Race - West to East] – Erroll Bruce -1963

Manuscript Letter – Italian Astronomer Giuseppe Armellini – Portorecanati – 19th August 1922

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