Asia

Tai Ki – To the Point of No Return – Kuno Knoble

Published by Little, Brown Boston a first English language edition 1976. Translated by Rita and Robert Kimber from the first German edition the year before. large octavo, 276 pages with many colour photographic illustrations, endpaper maps etc. Chips to top and bottom of dust jacket spine, otherwise a pretty good copy , very clean internally.

Could an ancient Chinese junk have sailed to America? In 1974 Kuno Knobl and seven others built and launched the Tai Ki and set sail across the Pacific.

They didn’t make it all the way as they were beset by a series of difficulties … it was “worm” that caused the most havoc .. with the crew eventually spending nearly all their time plugging holes created by the little devils. A final typhoon crippled the vessel.

Luckily they were rescued by the container-ship Washington Mail and the Tai Kai was abandoned 40 degrees north and south of Alaska.

Tai Ki … almost there but for the worms

$25.00

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The Lhota Nagas – Mills – First Edition 1932

First edition, published by MacMillan, London in 1932. Largish octavo, 255 pages nicely illustrated from photographs and drawings with a nice map of the relevant area. Striking blue cloth covered binding with gilt titling to spine and front as well as a lavish gilt image of a Lhota warrior in full dress.

Whilst the author had no formal anthropological training this is widely regarded as the primary source of information regarding the reclusive and inviting Lhota Nagas

Mills addresses the origins of the tribe, their migration, appearance, dress, ornament and weapons. Domestic life among the Nagas and the “Morung” … agriculture and the various unusual associated ceremonies. Hunting, fishing, food, medicine and drugs. Games they play, music and entertainment. The laws and customs by which they abide… war and head-hunting, Slavery and the position of women. Religion and life after death … magic, folk tales and songs. A good chapter on their language and various appendices concerning the Lhota calendar, mensuration and human sacrifice.

John Philip Mills (1890- 1960) was educated at Winchester College and Corpus Christi Cambridge. He spent three years as the Assistant Commissioner at Mokokchung, remote Nagaland in Northern India bordering Assam. During that period he worked on this book. Later in life he was rewarded for his work … back in London he was appointed Reader at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University. In the 1950’s he was President of the Anthropological Institute.

The surprising life of the Lhota Nagas a unique people

$240.00

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Hindu-Koh – Wanderings and Wild Sport on and Beyond the Himalayas – Major General Donald Macintyre.– 1891

Published by Blackwood, Edinburgh and London in 1891. Updated enhanced edition of 1891.

Large octavo, 362 pages with numerous illustrations. Striking blue cloth cover with the large gilt illustration of the mountain goat to the front. Very good condition. The frontispiece is a piece of work displaying the “bag” in all its magnificence. The tissue guard to the frontispiece is a masterpiece describing each element of the “bag” … we have put a piece of white paper behind to for the scan so that you can see the detail more clearly.

Macintyre travelled from Srinagar to Leh and on to Chang Chenmo and Lingzi=tang in 1871. This journey covers parts of Cashmere, Sind, Ladakh, Tibet and parts of China. Extensively in the Himalaya foothills. The account represents many years of travel and hunting in the region.

The account contains vivid descriptions of the people and their customs. And the wildlife … including elephant, tiger, bear, leopard, musk-deer, ibex, mansheer, yak and many more. A primary and early source.

Donald Macintyre (1831-1903) was a Major in the British Indian Army … 2nd Gurkha Rifles. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Lushai Campaign for successfully storming enemy battlements while under intense fire. His medal resides in the Gurkha Museum.

Rare and valuable account of the broader Himalayas.

$270.00

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The Misty Islands – Miles Smeeton – First Ed 1969

Published by the Nautical Publishing Company (Captain’s Row, Lymington) in association with Harrap, London.

Octavo, 214 pages nicely illustrated and with endpaper maps. Very good near fine condition.

The Smeeton’s experienced sailors spent a year in Japan after a prior voyage before they set sail for Southern Ireland via … the Aleutians, Alaska, British Columbia … the down the west coast and through Panama to the West Indies. Heading north to colder foggier climate past Labrador and across to round Iceland before heading near south to the Hebrides and the final leg. Much about the sailing and the stopping’s off along the way. A special record.

Unusual voyage and a liking for colder water

$30.00

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Fine Original Aquatint – Riviere de Bezouki (Java Indonesia) – Lauvergne from “La Favorite” – 1835

An original aquatint by Barthelemy Lauvergne (1805-1875) of the River Bezouki, Java Indonesia .

Executed on India-laid paper being plate number 60 from “Voyage Autour du Monde par les Mers de l’Inde et de la Chine de la corvette de sa Majeste La Favorite execute pendant les annees 1830,1831,1832 sous le commandement de M. Laplace” published in Paris in 1835 under the direction of Louise Auguste de Sainson.

Plate size 28.8 x 38.2 cm. Included in the National Collection as part of the Rex Nan Kivell bequest NK685

Some foxing as usual to the outer margins, the printed image really rather clean with a strong deep image.

Price unframed $140.00 … ask about framing options if you wish.

$120.00

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The Lonely Victory (Everest without Oxygen) – Peter Habeler – US First Edition

Published by Simon and Shuster in 1979 same year as the first UK edition and one year after the German. Octavo, 224 pages well illustrated and in very good condition.

The US equivalent of “Everest Impossible Victory”. Hillary got there first but it was Habeler and Messner who first made it to the highest place on earth unassisted with oxygen tanks, in 1978. Unusual interesting account starting with the preparations and the finances. Habeler only took three pairs of long socks!

…. don’t hold your breath too long!

$25.00

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Tai Ki – To the Point of No Return – Kuno Knoble

The Lhota Nagas – Mills – First Edition 1932

Hindu-Koh – Wanderings and Wild Sport on and Beyond the Himalayas – Major General Donald Macintyre.– 1891

The Misty Islands – Miles Smeeton – First Ed 1969

Fine Original Aquatint – Riviere de Bezouki (Java Indonesia) – Lauvergne from “La Favorite” – 1835

The Lonely Victory (Everest without Oxygen) – Peter Habeler – US First Edition

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