Prestige Items

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

A first edition of this full on voyage and travel account by the articulate James Prior. Published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co, London in 1819.

A lovely internal copy rebound in grey/green paper covered boards, as was typical of a primary binding of the true period, gilt on red leather title to spine. Octavo, 114 pages with special three fold map dated 1810 drawn by W M Cobb RN, also printed by Phillips. Another folding chart of the Harbour at Mozambique (note the different spelling) and a striking engraved view of the Town and Fort at Mozambique.

Well we have to be careful as this book is right in Voyager’s sweet spot. The narrative content is far fuller physically than the 114 pages suggest. First simply due to the format and the lines and words set per page, but also because Prior’s writing style is honed and full of interesting detail – no padding.

The long title gives you an idea of the coverage. Voyager’s favourite island, St Helena, is tackled well and one gets a great idea of the first impression on approach and the manner and detail of James Town and the various Plantation houses up “Ladder Hill” … “Ruperts Hill” etc.

Not in the title we also learn about the Comoro Islands … out from Mozambique and north west of Madagascar … this group of four ex volcanic islands probably the most beautiful place in the World. The Comoro islands was the primary reason behind the voyage as the King of Comoro had sought help against “predatory expeditions” of several thousand warriors from Madagascar. War was not the solution conferences were held – we can learn from that.

Good content on Rio and Brazil so don’t be confused by the lead in to the title …

Taking you back to the beginning and Prior has arrived at Cape Town where of all things he is off to the races … “the course is on Green Point, on the verge of the Bay: it was attended my multitudes, some in handsome vehicles … filled with females of every age, class and complexion. A dinner to the members concluded the meeting, followed of course by a ball … and the amusements of the week finished, on Saturday, with a private race, a cock-fight, the execution of several malefactors near the ground, and a dual between two gentlemen holding official situations, nearly fatal; so that we could not complain of want of variety”

We had to show you this even though it is not typical of the narrative – different times!

Interesting early 19thC Voyage from east Africa to Brazil

$390.00

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Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

This is the deluxe edition by Genesis Publications in association with Hedley Australia printed in 1986. Originally published with another work here presented alone. Quarter leather bound with gilt Flinders to front, impressed title to spine which has faux raised bands, all page edges richly gilt … a quality expected from Genesis.

Fine condition. A heavy book unsuitable for Overseas purchase.

Folio, 365 pages of facsimile and useful index at the end … Geoffrey Ingleton’s useful introductory note helps one in to the manuscript. This is Flinders in Mauritius incarcerated by the French on his way black to England to complete his charts and publication which was to change the name of the lucky continent to Australia. Flinders hand surprisingly readable which is what makes for a good facsimile manuscript … still needs a little patience and the index helps you around

We say incarcerated, and he did have his freedom removed, but he had an easy time of it .. albeit rather lengthy and annoying.

Flinders in Mauritius beautifully presented.

$220.00

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The Works of Sir Thomas Malory- 3 Volumes Complete – edited Eugene Vinaver – First Edition Oxford 1947.

Large first edition set published by the Clarendon Press, Oxford in 1947.

Thick royal octavo, 1,742 pages overall, original black cloth covered bindings, impressed design to front, gilt titles to spine, original dust jackets a little tattered but rarely there. Obvious odeur de bibliotheque – forgive them for their reverence. The odd illustration such as a page from the Winchester manuscript (see below).

Russian born Eugene Vinaver was at the time Professor of French Language and Literature at Manchester university. He is best know for this voluminous work which takes its place as the best study on Malory and the Authurian Legends. In 1928 Vinaver founded the Arthurian Society which became the Society for the Study of Medieval Languages. TE Lawrence had an interest before his untimely death.

The Vivaner Arthur is based on the 15th century Winchester Manuscript which was discovered in the Fellows’ Library at Winchester in 1934 – what other prizes must these old English libraries still hold? Vivaner provides an enlightening analysis of the differences with the first Caxton printed work.

A summary of the contents …

Volume I – after ix Preface – introduction including the Knight-Prisoner; the Story of the Book; the Writer’s Progress and the Method of Editing. Caxton’s Preface followed by the works …

The Tale of King Arthur; the Tale of the Noble King Arthur that was Emperor Himself through Dignity of His Hands; the Noble Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake; the Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkeney that was called Bewmaynes; The Book of Sir Tristram de Lyones.

Vol II – The Book of Sir Tristram de Lyones (cont); the Tale of the Sankgreal Briefly Drawn out of French, which is a Tale Chronicled for One of the Truest and One of the Holiest That Is in This World.

Vol III – the Book of Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere; The Most Piteous Tale of the Morte Arthur Saunz Gwerdon; Commentary on various Tales,; Bibliography; Glossary and Index etc.

Thomas Malory the Full Works provided and explained … a Magnificent Effort.

$190.00

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A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway True First Edition -1964 – Predates American Edition by one day

First edition published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1964. Octavo, 192 pages with the stunning wrap around dust jacket designed by Hans Tisdall. The font Tisdall invented for this purpose carries his name.

Very good condition with minor mark to front of jacket, otherwise very clean and no dust jacket nibbles. Terrific internally.

Written by Hemingway in his final days before he took his life so tragically. The draft was in his bedroom and published posthumously.

Tells of Hemingway’s early years in Paris with his young bride (1921-1926) and the people (what people) he associated with … Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Wyndham Lewis, James Joyce, Scott Fitzgerald … do we need to go on?

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast”.

Scarce Collectable delightful Hemingway – First Edition

$160.00

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The ANARE 1963 Expedition to Heard Island – G.M. Budd

This is the “Narrative” issue – Volume 1 of Series A – from by the Antarctic Division, Melbourne in 1964.

This is the one to have … and we say that as it contains one of the most gripping stories of cold weather experience – the report of the Mountain Party in its attempt to climb Voyager’s favourite mountain the volcanic beauty that is Big Ben – at the very centre of this chilly remote outpost of Australia.

Card covers, usual style, 53 pages, numerous images from expedition photographs and the simply beautiful, enormous (80+cm both ways) colour map of the island with its known features and unknown areas. The first impression we had was that whilst it appears that the island can be approached and landed from a number of points around the coast the first thing that meets you on every occasion is a glacier. Super condition – map pristine.

The contents include … the Personnel – there are only six split into two parties of three , the Mountain party and the Atlas Cove Party. Equipment for the Mountain Party and the “Route on Big Ben”. The voyage and landings; the attempt on Big Ben; the bivouac at Long Beach and Coastal Journeys. Separately the narrative of the Atlas Cove Party by Nils Lied.

The events described regarding the mountain attempt are indeed harrowing but thankfully and perhaps luckily they all survived – a few frost bitten digits and other parts aside. The Atlas Cove party had an easier ride but not before they have emptied and fumigated the shelters left from a prior visit that had been taken over by elephant seals and the like – who do not make comfortable bedfellows.

Heard Island heroics and the best map of this remote island.

SO SORRY SOLD

$190.00

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Biggles in Borneo – Capt W.E. Johns – First Australian Edition 1946

A first Australian edition of a scarce early Biggles with its original dust jacket – we emphasise original as some are sold with colour photocopies these days – we find that all a bit naff.

Published in 1946 by Geoffrey Cumberledge for Oxford University Press, Melbourne. The UK edition came out during WWII in 1943. Octavo, 183 pages, toned a bit still on the war paper, aged to top etc, but not a bad dust jacket at all, which makes the book. A good and collectable copy.

Subtitled …A “Biggles Squadron” Story of the Second Great War. Having just proved invaluable in the “Battle of Britain” the squadron find themselves in the heart Borneo where they set up an aerodrome unknown to the Japanese – they downs ships and rescue prisoners … the aerodrome is eventually taken over by the Royal Australian Airforce.

One of the scarce Biggles in its jacket and with a handover to the Aussies.

$70.00

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Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

The Works of Sir Thomas Malory- 3 Volumes Complete – edited Eugene Vinaver – First Edition Oxford 1947.

A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway True First Edition -1964 – Predates American Edition by one day

The ANARE 1963 Expedition to Heard Island – G.M. Budd

Biggles in Borneo – Capt W.E. Johns – First Australian Edition 1946

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