Non-fiction

Rare Pacific Voyage Books from the Collection of David Parsons – Part I. Dampier to Cook.

Hordern House have done a number of similar works. This by far the best. Published in 2005.

English born David Parsons was educated at Corpus Christi, Oxford. He spent his adult life in the USA where applied his mathematical skills as a top actuary. The collection written up by the House was the first of two parts (see our copy of Part II sold separately), the most important works we would say in chronological order up to Cook.

Parsons had decided to focus in on early Spanish/ Portuguese exploration. The proceeds from this magnificent collection would have provided a pretty healthy budget.

Octavo, unpaginated, circa 125 pages, magnificently illustrated. Contains all of the key works one would expect, often of super quality or special provenance. Generally organised as follows … Dampier to Swift; The Anson Expedition; The South Pacific before Cook; The North Pacific before Cook; Cook. As always an excellent description of content and relevance of each work with a helpful selection of images

Super reference of a collection to envy for sure.

$60.00

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The Territory – Ernestine Hill

A very good copy of the second printing of Ernestine Hill’s solid book about the Northern Territory published in 1955 by Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Illustrated with a frontispiece map and drawings by Elizabeth Durack, who produced the magnificent dust jacket.

Thick cctavo, 454 pages. Some chapters previously included in Walkabout Geographical Magazine and the Cornhill Magazine … but most first published. For amusement there is an extensive glossary of Territory Phrases at the end which aids the reader throughout.

A valuable book on the Northern Territory.

$35.00

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Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

Distinguished African Missionary and Explorer, Dr David Livingstone died in 1871. This photograph likely taken just before his final African adventure. He left for Zanzibar in 1866, part of his objective to find the source of the Nile, believing it to be further south than proposed by Burton and Speke. It was in 1870 that Stanley found him with that now famous introduction “Livingstone I presume?”.

The photographer James Good Tunny (1820-1887) was highly regarded and in business for many years. This image was reproduced likely to commemorate news of the death of Livingstone as it references 13 Maitland Street, Edinburgh and 11 Salisbury Place … the latter being Tunny’s second studio and home from 1871 to 1886.

A very good image in carte de visite style, a trifle marked, otherwise a fine albumen print.

Important photograph of the esteemed African Explorer, Dr David Livingstone, possibly commemorative.

$80.00

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The Celebrated George Barrington: A Spurious Author; The Book Trade, And Botany Bay – Nathan Garvey

For collectors of early Australiana the confusion over the Barrington books is well known. There might be the occasional flight to Wantrup but the riddle will most likely still remain unresolved. Here we have it, the essential explanation and reference ..

Octavo, 327 pages nicely illustrated from early Barrington books. Published by Hordern House, Sydney 2008. A fine copy.

Traces the genesis of the Barrington books, with an excellent account of publishing in England in the period. Contains the authoritative bibliography with over eighty works referenced.

George Barrington and his early Australian books … resolved

$40.00

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Captain James Cook – The Greatest Discoverer [Hordern House Reference]

Well, another magnificent Hordern House production. A catalogue of encyclopedic quality and proportions to reflect the once only collection of Robert and Mary Anne Parks.

No Cook devotee or great voyages enthusiast should be without this incredible reference to 133 works some unique some so rare that they make one shimmer with envy.

Cook delights dished up on quality service.

$40.00

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Van Diemen’s Land Revealed Editor [Bass and Flinders] – Dan Sprod

All about – Flinders and Bass and their circumnavigation of the island in the colonial sloop Norfolk in 1798-1799.

Superior work from Dan Sprod and a limited edition of 750. Published by Blubber Press in 2009. Here in fine condition.

Large octavo, 256 pages, nicely illustrated. Three charts in pocket at end as required.

Although modern this strangely is the first work dedicated to this important circumnavigation which in a sense defines Tasmanians. Other Flinders and Bass events provide support including Bass in the Tom Thumb from Sydney Cove to Western Point; Flinders to the wreck of the Sydney Cove and a facsimile of the rare Flinders pamphlet “Observations on the Coast of Van Diemen’s Land” to which the folding charts relate. Nice work.

Essential Tasmanian reference

$50.00

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Rare Pacific Voyage Books from the Collection of David Parsons – Part I. Dampier to Cook.

The Territory – Ernestine Hill

Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

The Celebrated George Barrington: A Spurious Author; The Book Trade, And Botany Bay – Nathan Garvey

Captain James Cook – The Greatest Discoverer [Hordern House Reference]

Van Diemen’s Land Revealed Editor [Bass and Flinders] – Dan Sprod

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