Antarctic and the Arctic

In Amundsen’s Tracks on the Axel Heiberg Glacier – Wally Herbert

An extract from the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society – December 1963.

Pages 399-411 with large folding coloured map of the Queen Maud Range and the Axel Heiberg Glacier Region showing various exploratory tracks – Amundsen, Scott, Byrd Flight, Gould and Wally Herbert. Three nice images from photographs from the Herbert expedition.

Too much to say. First Walter [wally] Herbert possibly the greatest post heroic era polar explorer. Spent a whole 15 years of his life either North or South. First to make it truly by foot to the North Pole. Here he is part of the New Zealand GSAE expedition 1961-62.

At the time he wanted deeply to make the South pole but he was denied permission to push on the last 300km by “Head office”. While he was waiting for a verdict, he climbed Mt Fridjof Nansen from where he could further assess the route back down the Axel Heiberg Glacier – which he did with significant success and a full appreciation of Amundsen.

His report to the Society is most interesting. He starts by saying that he will not get into the long time debate as to whether Scoot hard a hard run and Amundsen got it easy on the way to the South Pole. He does point out that Amundsen did not select the obviously easier route i.e. Scott’s route was more direct and Amundsen’s route required 19,590 feet of climbing whilst Scott’s party only 11,470. Lots more of interest … Amundsen’s confusion re which mountain was which etc – same with Byrd.

The then President of the Society was non other than heroic era veteran Sir Raymond Priestley. Also present at the address was Philip Brocklehurst and John King Davies.

Priestly concludes the event with pointed comments that suggest he was, as you would expect, well and truly in the Scott camp and suggests that Wally may have had it easy on his glacial endeavour with a nice blanket of snow etc etc

Wally Herbert Polar Legend – In tracks of Amundsen – Reporting to Head Office

SO SORRY SOLD

$50.00

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Globe Terrestre – Allain Manesson Mallet – Paris 1683

An unusual original copper engraving from 1683. A depiction of a hemisphere with the Atlantic at the centre so partly Old and New World. Below that the segmented opposite view with the distinct shape of the northern coastline of Australia and then Planisphere of the East and West hemispheres in the style of d’Arzael with the unusual blob shape in the position of Australia.

Mallet (1630-1706) was a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV became a Sergeant Major and an Inspector of Fortifications. His maps have a beautiful decorative and unique style.

Price $280.00 framed in Voyager miniature map style ready to hang in your study.

Intriguing early representations of the World

$280.00

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Voyages Toward Antarctica 1699-1839 – Below the Convergence – Alan Gurney

We have swapped the title and sub-title around as the sub makes perfect sense.

Another well researched book by Alan Gurney published by Norton, New York / London in 1997.

Octavo, 315 pages, some illustrations, great useful maps, 15 in all, at the back and the extensive bibliography. A fine copy.

This earlier Antarctic period is of special interest to Voyager. We start with Halley and the Paramore, Cook, Bellingshausen, Weddell, Biscoe, Kemp and Balleny etc. Earlier sealers made their mark without too much fuss.

Antarctic – the early years one for the left hand side of the bookshelf

$35.00

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Antarctica – Reginald Ford

An unusual facsimile presentation of one of the rarest heroic era publications – the tiny book “Antarctica” which was originally published in New Zealand in 1906.

A boxed set of items by the Erskine Press issued in 2015 comprising solid black box with a front label copy of the front cover repeated .. inside two postcards – Discovery in Winter Quarters from a painting by A.E. (Uncle Bill) Wilson and A new and accurate map of the islands of the Antarctic etc by Talland Power for the Erskine Press; a stout copy of a broadsheet advertising a lecture “Farthest South” by Mr C Reginald Ford with various positive opinions and press remarks. Also, a 12 page, card covered potted biography of Charles Reginald Ford by Crispin de Boos. And, the said facsimile with linen textured card cover, 32 pages numerous images – a faithful facsimile including the odd light stain from the original.

Ford was a steward on the Discovery Expedition and was the first person to beak his leg on the Antarctic when he was skiing. He was so well regarded that on return he acted as Scott’s secretary during his extensive leaders lecture tour.

Try to find an original if you can – the next best thing is this unusual collection from the Polar mad Erskine Press .

$85.00

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Encyclopedia of the Antarctic – Edited Beau Riffenburgh- 2 Volumes

Published by Routledge in 2006 this two-volume set is regarded as the font of all things Antarctica.

A substantial effort the number of distinguished contributors runs to over a hundred.

Two quarto volumes, 1,272 pages heavily illustrated with all sorts, high technical level with many maps, charts, explanatory diagrams etc. Very good condition. Weighs in at circa 3.6kgs so not really suitable for Overseas postage.

The elements relating to the History of Exploration and History of Science are understandably our favourites. Other broader topics include … Atmosphere; Birds; Conservation; Geography; Glaciology; Technology; Oceanography; Physics and astronomy etc.

It is all here in the Encyclopedia of the Antarctic – more than a winter’s reading

$480.00

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Viking Galley Bookends

A sturdy set that will hold up the heaviest of books.

Cast in copper bronze and machine finished to the back which suggests a fairly modern manufacture. Based on a design from circa 1910.

Very strong relief of galley with full sail against mountainous shoreline.

15 cm tall, weighing 2.2kgs the pair. Very good condition. A postage supplement likely dependent on the location of the buyer.

Practical nautical war ready galley bookends

$90.00

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In Amundsen’s Tracks on the Axel Heiberg Glacier – Wally Herbert

Globe Terrestre – Allain Manesson Mallet – Paris 1683

Voyages Toward Antarctica 1699-1839 – Below the Convergence – Alan Gurney

Antarctica – Reginald Ford

Encyclopedia of the Antarctic – Edited Beau Riffenburgh- 2 Volumes

Viking Galley Bookends

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