Non-fiction

Linus Pauling [Two Times Nobel Prize Winner] – Biography – A Man and His Science – Anthony Serafini (Introduction Isaac Asimov)

A first edition published by Simon and Schuster in 1989.

Large octavo, 310 pages with illustrations from period photographs. Very good condition.

A super biography by the thorough and readable Professor Serafini. With and introduction from Isaac Asimov which also beats his own drum.

A monumental scientist of the 20th Century … the only person to single handed won the Nobel Prize twice … Chemistry and Peace. His application of quantum mechanics to molecular orbital theory and the lead into the helix and, for others, consequently DNA was way ahead. His competition with William Bragg and the Oppenheimer conflict (not the least that he made a pass at Pauling’s wife) add some intrigue. Ban the Bomb and Vitamin C the elixir came later …

Pauling’s Life will prove an inspiration for any budding scientist.

$30.00

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Allen & Hanburys Ltd – Abridged Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and Appliances – Aseptic Hospital Furniture and Electro-Medical Apparatus. – c1920

Possibly the most important reference of the period on the subject. Allen & Hanburys were at 48 Wigmore Street, London W1 with a factory at Bethnal Green and other facilities in Hertfordshire and Norway (Cod Liver Oil).

Abridged in their world means large octavo 739 pages. Original red cloth covered boards, titles etc blind stamped on spine, white to front. No date but references show circa 1920. Thousands of illustrations, frontispiece of the principal premises. Pasted onto inside front is a 28 page price list from April, 1925. All in very good condition.

By this time Allen & Hanburys were leading players with businesses in South Africa, China, Australia, India, South America, USA, Canada, Arabia, New Zealand, West Indies and throughout Europe.

Items covered include far too numerous to list even by category, they appear to cover every aspect. We have provided quite a few images to give some idea.

Special Medical instrument Reference from the distinguished Allen & Hanburys.

$120.00

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Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

A first edition published by the University of Chicago Press in 1972.

Octavo, 138 pages all in very good condition.

Expert Raleigh A. Skelton (known as Peter) was in charge of the Map Room at the British Museum … he was also Editor of the illustrious cartographic journal Imago Mundi … and worked closely with Tooley.

Unfortunately he passed away before this book was absolutely complete. His notes and extensive references made the final putting together of it an easier task than would otherwise have been.

A super work starting with The History of Cartography – An Introductory Survey; the Preservation an Collecting of Early Maps; the Historical Study of Early Maps … the Past, Present and Future. And a lengthy bibliography of Skelton’s published efforts compiled in chronological order by Robert Karrow

Skelton – his final views after a long career toiling over his love of maps

$25.00

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Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Title continues … A Record of Exploration in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas by J Kennedy Maclean. Published by Chambers Edinburgh, thick octavo, 404 pages. Magnificent pictorial boards, well illustrated with two maps of the top and the bottom. Some spotting and spine ends a bit pulled, otherwise a pretty good copy.

The pictorial boards may give the impression this was for a younger audience. The quality of the content and writing suggest the market was father and son.

Written chronologically with an introduction of “Gains and losses of Polar Enterprise” before the “Pioneers”. The search for the North-west passage and Franklin and much about his horrors. Nares and then the fatal “Jannette” an incredible story often lost in these accounts. The discovery of Franz Josef Land and the North-east Passage by Nordenskiold. Peary and the success of the North Pole after twenty years … and Cook.

In the South, Scotland’s share of the then exploration and Scott’s Discovery Expedition. Shackleton’s Farthest South (so close) and the great race for the Pole.

At the time of publication the race to the pole had just been won and the tragedy of Scott’s expedition known but not fully understood. Tributes had begun to flow.

A Voyager favourite … an obscure but relevant Polar item.

$90.00

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Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

The great Anson circumnavigation of the mid-18th century to basically steal as much Spanish gold – as possible (successful in that regard). This book based on the papers of Captain Saumarez and an essential part of the incredible story that makes up this historic adventure.

Based on the original papers of Captain Philip Saumarez on Board HMS Centurion, Lord Anson’s flagship during his circumnavigation 1740-44.

The four Saumarez logs have not been previously published or referenced. They had been lost for year until found in the 1960’s in a cardboard box along with letter and other documents at the Saumerez manor in the Channel Islands.

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1974.Large octavo, 264 pages, world map end papers showing the track of the fleet, numerous illustrations from original works, some in colour. A very good copy.

While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a Squadron of eight ships on a mission to harass the Spaniards on the west coast of South America and cut off their supplies of wealth from the Pacific.

“Returning to England in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of the gold laden Acapulco Galleon but also for the loss of all ships except Anson’s Centurion and horrific losses to disease with only 300 of the original 900 surviving.

Anson’s voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to Englishmen of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which restored national pride after an unsuccessful war against the Spaniards.”

Saumerez another perspective on Anson

$40.00

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Australian Frogmouths – Broinowski – 1890

An original hand finished chromolithograph from Broinowksi’s magnificent wok on Australian birds published late in the Victorian era.

Two frogmouths … Podargus Strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth) an Podargus Plumiferus (Marbled Frogmouth). With moderate gum arabic highlights on the eyes, beaks and wing tips.

Matted nicely ready to frame. Printed area 31cm by 24cm. external mat dimensions 43cm by 34cm. A nice example of the desirable frogmouth image … easier to see here than out in the bush.

Price unframed but nicely matted as described. Our scanner is too small to show the full effect of the matting … its nice … double matted with French lines coloured and gilt.

Australian Frogmouths … very Australian

$120.00

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Linus Pauling [Two Times Nobel Prize Winner] – Biography – A Man and His Science – Anthony Serafini (Introduction Isaac Asimov)

Allen & Hanburys Ltd – Abridged Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and Appliances – Aseptic Hospital Furniture and Electro-Medical Apparatus. – c1920

Maps – A Historical Survey of Their Study and Collecting – R.S. Skelton

Heroes of the Polar Seas – J. Kennedy Maclean – 1910

Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

Australian Frogmouths – Broinowski – 1890

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