Anthropology

Piltdown Man [Exposure] – Ronald Millar – First Edition 1972.

Subtitled – “The story, as fascinating as a whodunit, of how the Piltdown skull came to be discovered; how the hoax was exposed and who the hoaxer may have been”.

A very good if not fine copy. Octavo, 264 pages, well- illustrated, great jacket. Published by Victor Gollancz in 1972.

Even if you are from the dark or from the modern ages and have never heard of the Piltdown man this book is a winner.

We had our own feeling about the identity of the hoaxer and the writer agrees – or vice versa. We will not spoil it but an Australian of then some dignity born in Grafton NSW – which is the big clue! We may have some of his work?

Piltdown Man – in some circles, a skull that has caused more controversy than any other!

$35.00

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Fiji and The Fijians (1835-1856) – G.C. Henderson

A first edition on Henderson’s book on Fiji and the Fijians a volume published to elucidate the Journal of Rev Thomas Williams who has spent the period !840-1853 as a Missionary in Fiji. Williams being regraded as the principal authority on the state if society among Fijians when European first came upon them.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1931.

Large octavo, 33 pages nicely illustrated throughout with images from early engravings, early photographs and charts. Very good condition and with the author’s “Compliments”’ stamp on the end paper ad his manuscript note “To dear old Jeff – from the Author”

A very useful Preface sets the scene and purpose for the book. The first chapter proper refers to the “Mitchellian Manuscripts” the Williams Journal and paper held at the Mitchell … and other primary materials held elsewhere including in the UK. Very good chapters on the Discovery of Fiji … the Duff, James cook and often overlooked Bellingshausen among them. The Bellingshausen journals had yet to be translated to English at the date of this book. The work then moves on to a description of the archipelago, centres of interest and the people. Mission work, medical practices and a chapter on Ono-I-Lau first visited by Calvert. Language and literature etc etc.

Well written account regarding an important historical period. A very good copy.

$120.00

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Uttermost Part of the Earth – A History of Tierra Del Fuego and the Fuegians – E Lucas Bridges.

This is a high quality reissue of “The” classic book on this fascinating part of the world and its equally fascinating inhabitants.

First published in 1948, this issue by Rookery, New York in 2007. Thick Royal octavo, 558 pages, illustrated as the original from period photographs, maps including in the end paper. Nice dust jacket, and extremely clean fine copy.

With a new introduction and epilogue by Natalie Goodall.

The author was born in Tierra Del Fuego in 1874, on the southern coast to his missionary parents. He grew up among the coastal Yaghans and later met and hunted with the wild inland Ona tribe.

The book recounts early history and starts with the arrival of HMS Beagle and then the disastrous expedition of Captain Gardiner. The arrival of his parents and as he grew up the many adventures he had and the very extensive knowledge gained. Cannot be overtaken.

Uttermost Part of the World – quality production of this famous account.

$60.00

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Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Important book about the little known Wai-Wai from the border of Gayana and Brazil. Nicholas Guppy was an incredible individual – he died in Bali in his 80’s having gone there to alleviate the effects of hookworm which found their way into his system during these adventures. We strongly recommend reading his obituary in the London Telegraph … too much and too interesting to paraphrase here.

Thick octavo, 374 pages, first edition published by none other than John Murray, London in 1958. Chips to dust jacket as seen in the image but still a very good copy of a must have book.

A useful map near the front provides an overview of the travels first by light aircraft, then foot and canoe over very difficult terrain and waters. Guppy a botanist was sent to secure rare specimens but foremost in his mind was finding the elusive Wai-Wai. The travels were arduous; finding sufficient food along the way was problematic – particularly as the gang of native helpers he used appeared to regard him [his body] as back-up should provisions be depleted! Eventually he meets his Wai-Wai … a most unusual group, completely unaffected by western life. He came to love and admire them – reflected in this book and from what we read his conversation throughout his life.

We wish we could say more and maybe be more precise about this work – it is more than worthy.

Adventurous Guppy meets his Wai-Wai and they get along well.

$50.00

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The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

Longer title – The Spirit Ridden Konde. A record of the interesting but steadily vanishing customs & ideas gathered during twenty four year residence amongst these shy inhabitants of the Lake Nyasa region, from witch doctors, diviners, hunters, fishers & every native source.

Published by Lippincott a first American edition 1925. A beautifully presented book with serious content regarding the Konde people of Tanzania.

Octavo, 318 pages with folding map and 21 illustrations from photographs. Strikingly vivid blue cloth covered binding with gilt image of native to front, titles to spine. A very good copy.

Mackenzie explores the complex relationship of the Konde people with the spirit world and how it affects their daily lives and their rituals and traditions. He traces their origins and how they migrated to the Lake Nyasa region. Good descriptions of initiation rites of both young men and women. A super book.

No better book about the Konde of Lake Nyasa

$220.00

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Spring on an Antarctic Island (Bylot Island) – Katherine Scherman

First edition published by Victor Gollancz, London in 1956. The author and a group of naturalists and scientists visit remote Bylot Island, north of Baffin Island well within the Arctic Circle.

Octavo, 329 pages, end paper maps, illustrated from photographs taken on the expedition. A small chip top of dust jacket, otherwise a fine copy.

The party flew by light aircraft to Pond Inlet a remote Hudson Bay Company outpost on the northern shores of Baffin Island. Some explorations in the locale and then off further north to Bylot with Eskimo guide Idlouk. They set up camp near the Aktineg glacier. Bylot sparsely populated with a few friendly Eskimo group is a cold mountainous place with its own unique flora and fauna. Image the Arctic Willow which last eight years but never gets higher than five inches.

Bylot a unique environment – an authentic account.

$35.00

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Piltdown Man [Exposure] – Ronald Millar – First Edition 1972.

Fiji and The Fijians (1835-1856) – G.C. Henderson

Uttermost Part of the Earth – A History of Tierra Del Fuego and the Fuegians – E Lucas Bridges.

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

The Spirit Ridden Konde [Lake Nyasa Tanzania] – First Edition D.R. Mackenzie – 1925

Spring on an Antarctic Island (Bylot Island) – Katherine Scherman

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