Africa

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

A first edition of this full on voyage and travel account by the articulate James Prior. Published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co, London in 1819.

A lovely internal copy rebound in grey/green paper covered boards, as was typical of a primary binding of the true period, gilt on red leather title to spine. Octavo, 114 pages with special three fold map dated 1810 drawn by W M Cobb RN, also printed by Phillips. Another folding chart of the Harbour at Mozambique (note the different spelling) and a striking engraved view of the Town and Fort at Mozambique.

Well we have to be careful as this book is right in Voyager’s sweet spot. The narrative content is far fuller physically than the 114 pages suggest. First simply due to the format and the lines and words set per page, but also because Prior’s writing style is honed and full of interesting detail – no padding.

The long title gives you an idea of the coverage. Voyager’s favourite island, St Helena, is tackled well and one gets a great idea of the first impression on approach and the manner and detail of James Town and the various Plantation houses up “Ladder Hill” … “Ruperts Hill” etc.

Not in the title we also learn about the Comoro Islands … out from Mozambique and north west of Madagascar … this group of four ex volcanic islands probably the most beautiful place in the World. The Comoro islands was the primary reason behind the voyage as the King of Comoro had sought help against “predatory expeditions” of several thousand warriors from Madagascar. War was not the solution conferences were held – we can learn from that.

Good content on Rio and Brazil so don’t be confused by the lead in to the title …

Taking you back to the beginning and Prior has arrived at Cape Town where of all things he is off to the races … “the course is on Green Point, on the verge of the Bay: it was attended my multitudes, some in handsome vehicles … filled with females of every age, class and complexion. A dinner to the members concluded the meeting, followed of course by a ball … and the amusements of the week finished, on Saturday, with a private race, a cock-fight, the execution of several malefactors near the ground, and a dual between two gentlemen holding official situations, nearly fatal; so that we could not complain of want of variety”

We had to show you this even though it is not typical of the narrative – different times!

Interesting early 19thC Voyage from east Africa to Brazil

$390.00

Updating cart…

Cartography -The Cape of Good Hope 1782-1842 – from De la Rochette to Arrowsmith

The Map Collectors’ Circle publication published in 1965, No 17 by D Schire. Very good condition.

Usual original flesh coloured card covers, design to front. 16 pages of detailed narrative and catalogue plus 15 plates of maps. Very good condition .. the covers look a little blemished but its our scanner – they are perfect.

Whilst the 1782 date refers to the maps by de la Rochette published between 1782 and 1795, we also have the Faden Plan of the Town of Cape of Good Hope which whilst published in 1795 is as a result of work completed and noted within the map in 1770.

After a very good introductory narrative, we have a single page of selected dates commencing with the District of Swellendham being proclaimed in 1743.

Cape of Good Hope and some super cartography

$25.00

Updating cart…

Ancient Maps and Explorers’ Routes on Stamps – Stern

Probably our favourite from the Map Collectors’ Circle publication published in 1964 No 15 by M F Stern

A super subject well researched and documented by the author under the watchful eye of Editor in Chief the one only R.V. Tooley.

Usual small quarto perfect bound softcover comprising 22 pages with illustrations throughout the text, not at the end as if the usual form – we like this.

When we first read this it took Voyager back to his childhood and many hours were spent scrabbling around trying to find that old stamp album. Another early hobby has been rejuvenated but with this map related speciality.

Maps on stamps – should have thought about it earlier!

$30.00

Updating cart…

Printed Maps of Southern Africa and its parts – Map Collectors Circle – R.V. Tooley -1970

The Map Collectors’ Circle publication published Nos 61 by R.V. Tooley in 1970. Very good condition.

In the ubiquitous flesh coloured card covers, design to front. 39 pages of detailed catalogue plus 24 plates of maps.

Plates include .. A Sketch of Natal by Stranger 1848; Barrow’s Cape of Good Hope 1880; Bleau Aethiopia Inferior 1690; Bonne Canal de Mozambique 1780; Cary Cape if Good Hope 1810; Commelin Cabode Bonna Esperance 1646 [a favourite]; Norie False Bay 1826 [super detail] etc etc

Perfect Tooley on South African Maps

$35.00

Updating cart…

The Principall Navigations Voiages & Discoveries of the English Nation – Richard Hakluyt.

One of the most important of the many worthwhile Hakluyt Society publications – this one the work of effectively the “founder” or at least founding inspiration. A facsimile with embellishments of the famous 16thC work

Published by Cambridge University Press for the Society in 1965. Extra series number XXIX. Largish quarto, two volumes comprising fifty plus pages of introductions regarding the character of the work, medieval source, unpublished work and near the end of that a wonderful check-list of surviving copies – amazing how many of which have made there way to the USA – lucky them. With their original dust jackets – a very good set. Heavy, not really and overseas purchase option on their own.

The balance of the volumes constitutes 836 pages, plus a very useful modern index. The index is a real gem as Hakluyt’s work at first unwieldly opens up when you know where to look. Hakluyt also organised his work into three Parts – First South and Southeast; Second North and Northeast and the final Third Part West, Southwest and Northwest – so that helps.

Hakluyt a monumental work of seafaring history – how on earth did he do it?

$180.00

Updating cart…

Lake Victoria to Khartoum with Rifle and Camera – Captain F.A. Dickinson [Introduction by Winston Churchill] – First Edition 1910.

A rare book and one of the rarest books in the Churchill cannon. If you have a first edition of Churchill’s “My African Journey” then you are lucky and you will appreciate that this book by the guide of that event would make the perfect companion.

Published by John Lane (Bodley Head), London, 1910.. in the days when you spoke to John Lane. Thick octavo, 334 pages after preliminaries and before publishers catalogue. Well over a hundred illustrations from photographs [not included in the pagination]. Bound in unusual orange/ red cloth covered boards, gilt titles and embellishment, decorative lines. The covers are quite well faded especially to the spine and the odd mark, this is common for this binding. Otherwise internally very clean indeed, just a couple of light spots on the title.

Churchill in his introduction lavishes praise on Ricketts as a guide and organiser. The party walked/ travelled the whole Uganda and more, some 1,500 miles. Churchill did some of it on bicycle. A lot of bagging went on along the way – all very jolly. Churchill took them to Khartoum and enlivened the conversation with his first hand account of encounters during his various African military skirmishes.

Churchill in Africa – mutual admiration – Ricketts

$390.00

Updating cart…

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

Cartography -The Cape of Good Hope 1782-1842 – from De la Rochette to Arrowsmith

Ancient Maps and Explorers’ Routes on Stamps – Stern

Printed Maps of Southern Africa and its parts – Map Collectors Circle – R.V. Tooley -1970

The Principall Navigations Voiages & Discoveries of the English Nation – Richard Hakluyt.

Lake Victoria to Khartoum with Rifle and Camera – Captain F.A. Dickinson [Introduction by Winston Churchill] – First Edition 1910.

Product Categories