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

    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quarto, two volumes comprising fifty plus pages of introductions regarding the character of the work, medieval source, unpublished work and near the end of that a wonderful check-list of surviving copies – amazing how many of which have made there way to the USA – lucky them.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

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  • First Class Polo – Tactics & Match Play – Brigadier-General R. L. Ricketts.

    First Class Polo – Tactics & Match Play – Brigadier-General R. L. Ricketts.

    For those that have always wanted to understand polo beyond the general idea of horses, a mallet and a bamboo ball (well plastic now) this is the book. Get ahead become an expert and make the right calls at these posh events.

    A fine copy of a super scarce book outlining the secrets of good polo play. Second edition, effectively self-published through Gale & Polden of Aldershot [British Military town] and London et, 1938.

    Octavo, 48 pages and IX full pages plates of tactics guaranteed to win the play.

    Ricketts played for the Alwar team in India circa 1900 and they won trophy after trophy – see the image of the frontispiece. They won the Indian Polo association Championship for several years and the Delhi Durbar without a single defeat scoring 117 goals against only 15.

    Ricketts describes the “merciless hitting of the ordinary easy ball by the Maharajah, and the advantages of the golf drive trajectory which he imparted to it etc”.

    Rickett’s motivation for the book is the fact that the Americans had more recently dominated the sport and to win back the advantage a quicker harder form of polo must be played. Bit like Bazball if you get that ..

    Ricketts on Polo everything you need to know to beat the Yankees

    $90.00

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  • Sarangi – Indian Stringed Instrument

    Sarangi – Indian Stringed Instrument

    The sarangi is a short necked bowed stringed instrument with a skin covered resonator. Carved from a single piece of wood. The playing strings typically gut and the numerous sympathetic strings from steel. The instrument is played predominantly in Northern India and also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

    The sound it produces is very emotional and can resemble the human voice with special techniques such as gamaks (shakes) and meends (sliding movements).

    Its origins could be Persian the derivation of the name suggests that.

    The sarangi has a box like shape with three hollow chambers .. the names of which translate to stomach, chest and brain. This good example is around the usual size (slightly bigger) at 67cm. the lower chamber is covered in parchment. There is a bridge made from bone, earlier they would have been ivory. The bridge is strong as it supports the pressure from the numerous metal sympathetic strings.

    Nor really suitable for Overseas postage and will require a postage supplement in Australia dependent on buyers location. We are careful to pack well and obtain the most cost effect mailing.

    Expand your musical horizons with a Sarangi.

    $440.00

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  • Thirty-Seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar, the Suras and Assam – The Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

    A facsimile of this scarce book originally published in Bombay in 1908. This edition by Wolfe Publishing of Prescott, Arizona published in 1993. Described as a “quality limited edition”.

    Thick large “Royal” octavo, 461 pages, illustrated as the original, large folding map of the region at rear. Bound nicely in faux burgundy morocco, gilt embellishments and title, all edges richly gilt, headbands and silk page marker. A nice production in “as new” condition.

    Described as a “rough diary” covering the period from 1871 to 1907. Set out in XXIX chapters, each dealing with specific expedition or encounters. Precise records of prizes bagged, and the various blunt instruments used carefully listed near the rear.

    Nowadays, not everyone’s “cup of tea” but we consider an important relic of the era and a super travel account of the region.

    For those geographically limited Cook Behar is in the North of West Bengal in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya.

    The sport of the Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

    $70.00

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  • Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

    There were two printings of this work by Argonaut Press London this is the upmarket edition spine vellum bound.

    Published in 1931, printed by Morrison of Edinburgh, quarto, xxxvii, 376 pages. Printed on fine Japon vellum paper. Wine-red cloth bound with gilt device to front, true vellum spine with gilt titling. Limited to 975 copies. Woodcut on title by William Monk. Folding maps all present. A very good copy of a desirable Dampier.

    With a long introduction and notes by Dampier expert Clennell Wilkinson. In our view this introduction is what sets this lovely book apart from the numerous facsimiles even those of fine printed quality.

    Wilkinson explains the rather odd order of Dampier’s recollections … as they are not chronological but likely driven by the need to get paid in-between various adventurous explorations. Some early Dampier in Central America where he had to roll his sleeves up – and also his diaries. At one time in desperation whilst lost in Central American rain forests Dampier had to swim several raging creeks. To protect his diaries he used a sealed bamboo tube in which the rolled up diaries travelled. He was making notes early in life a habit he kept going until near the end. Piracy was soon his trade and then on to fame and sponsored explorer. Whilst back in England he mixed with the rich la-di-da and was sought after for upper crust social gatherings. Jonathan Swift likely knew him maybe not quite as the cousin he suggests of Gulliver. Swift was some fifteen years younger and would have read Dampier’s words which provided the inspiration for the settings of the “Travels

    Sorry rambling – specifically, Part I Voyage to Achin, Malacca and Tonquin; Voyage to Tenan and a journey inland to Cachoa; After Tonquin – Cambodia and Bencouli then Achin in detail. Part II – Voyage to Campeachy, Jucatan, Alcranes and the Island of Pines. Various adventurous activities – Indians etc. Part II The [famous] Discourse of Winds, Storms, Seasons, Tides and Currents etc. Maps of the Streights of Malacca; Bay of Campechy; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the Atlantik and Indian Oceans; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the great South Ocean.

    William Dampier if only he was alive today.

    $130.00

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  • Hunting and Shooting in Ceylon – Harry Storey

    Hunting and Shooting in Ceylon – Harry Storey

    A facsimile of another colonial hunting book – not for the faint-hearted.

    Originally published by Longmans, London in 1907; this by Asian Educational of Delhi etc in 1998.

    Octavo, 366 pages, illustrations as in the original. Faux leather binding, gilt embellishment, some occasional marks, still a pretty good copy.

    Lots of contributions from his gunpowder loving friends and the whole gambit of Ceylonese wildlife put at risk. Forgive our implied – actually a very good book of its type – honest and fulsome. Nicely written with an “in the moment” narrative and images couldn’t be better chosen – some coverage of ancient ruins – such as the impressive Polonnaruwa.

    Banging on in Ceylon with Harry.

    $30.00

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