Non-fiction

Threnos for T.E. Lawrence – Henry Williamson (Author of Tarka the Otter)

Threnos … a lament over a victim of a tragedy … no better definition than here … Henry Williamson regarding T.E. Lawrence of Arabia.

Includes other writings by Henry Williamson together with “A Criticism of Henry Williamson’s – Tarka the Otter – by T.E. Lawrence”

Published by the Henry Williamson Society, an only edition 1994. Octavo, 134 pages, yellow card covers, fine condition. Frontispiece from a photograph of Williamson, taken in 1930.

The relationship between Lawrence and Williamson was an unusual one. Born out of publisher Putnam asking Lawrence to review a draft of Traka. He did and sent his written criticism to Putnam who onforwarded it to Williamson. Two year into printing Williamson took up some of T.E.L.’s comments and recognised his involvement in later editions.

When Lawrence crashed his motorcycle and died from the injuries he had just posted a letter to Williamson making arrangements to visit, strangely making their relationship all that stronger. Williamson understood the complex man that Lawrence was and this was reflected in Lawrence’s friendship with him.

A rare Lawrence Item that reveals a very personal side of the Williamson Lawrence relationship … and Tarka

$80.00

Updating cart…

The Discovery of the Clarie Coast Antarctic – Dumont d’Urville – 26th January 1840

An original beautifully executed lithograph by Louis Le Breton (1818-1866) published as part of the great “Atlas Pittoresque” to accompany “Voyage au Pole Sud et dans l’Oceanie sur les corvettes l’Astrolabe et la Zelee … sous commandement de M.J. Dumont d’Urville”.

After discovering and naming Adelie Land (After d’Urville’s wife) on the 22nd of January 1840 and making various explorations the Astrolabe and Zelee continued west in search of further land. A violent gale separated the two ships and Dumont d’Urville feared that he might have lost the Zelee. However, the sea calmed and the Zelee appeared and the vessels were re-united. Shortly afterwards the Astrolabe encountered the US Exploring Expedition under Captain Wilkes. Dumont d’Urville had heard of Wilkes’ intentions at Hobart and made all haste to make his the first discoveries … and he did so. The encounter with Wilkes was very strange and through a misunderstanding Wilkes thought his approach to the French vessel was rebuffed .. not so the French simply manoeuvred to avoid any chance of a physical encounter in these difficult waters. A couple of days later the French discovered further extensive coastline which d’Urville named Cote de Clarie or the Clarie Coast after the wife of Charles Jaquinot Captain of his support vessel Zelee. This was on 26th January 1840 and the event is recognised in this delightful lithograph. The US Wilkes expedition also found the Claire Coast, but not until February had arrived. The Americans sailed further on confirming a thousand plus mile stretch of land … likely because of this the region is known in Australia as Wilkes Land … not so in France!

Lithographed by P Blanchard on sturdy paper – 37 x 22cm to the edge of the image with very wide margin. Overall in excellent condition.

Price $340.00 unframed – rare

Antarctic discovery of the Clarie Coast 26th January 1840 Voyage of Dumont d’Urville.

$340.00

Updating cart…

The Tomb of Iurudef – A Memphite Official in the Reign of Ramesses II – Maarten Raven

First edition published jointly by the National Museum of Antiquities Leiden and the Egypt Exploration Society, London.

The Principal author Maarten Raven is a leading Egyptologist and curator of Egyptology at Leiden. Since 1975 he has been active in the field at Saqqara at a New kingdom archaeological burial site a joint Dutch and British concern.

Large quarto, 82 pages plus 55 full page plates of artefacts, including the frontispiece. Printed to a high standard and in fine condition.

A great wealth of material has been found, preserved and catalogued from the sands of the city of the dead of ancient Memphis. Of considerable importance was the discovery of the tomb of Iurudef as a part of the tomb structure of his Master the Overseer of the Treasury Tia, brother-in-law to Ramesses II. The tomb can be dated to the first half of the Nineteenth Dynasty. The excavators discovered further chambers and in total some seventy burials were found.

The publication is presented at the highest technical standard. A useful Preface and List of Plates, with a Staff List and suitable historical introductions. Follows a logical progression … the Superstructure; the Substructure; Coffins and Related Objects; Catalogue of Objects; Pottery; Skeletal remains

The Tomb of Iurudef was shared with many others.

$70.00

Updating cart…

Sport in Many Lands (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) by H.A. Leveson known as “Old Shakarry”

“Old Shekarry” was Major Henry Astbury Leveson and he was one of the great 19th Century traveller hunters. He went everywhere and had a shot at everything. His recollections of the Man Eating Bengal Tiger do add a little balance.

Published posthumously as a sort of compilation of his other works on a grander scale. Published by Warne, London and New York in 1890. Royal octavo, 597 pages with towards 200 illustrations. Delightful decorative covers – all in very good condition. A beauty really.

We start with a special memoir on Leveson by H.F. which reassures one that here was a man who lead a full life, with a distinguished military career to back up his private interests.

The book proper starts at home with Her Majesty’s Buckhounds and the chasing of the red deer. Off to Bavaria, the Alps and the Chamois. Wild Fowl shooting and the marsh lands of the Somme .. (what a different place they were to become). The exotic and hog hunting in India … Bears, Tigers and Leopards before the formidable yet vulnerable Elephant,. Up in the Himalaya and some interesting travel notes before more shooting. Into the Middle East and the sad markets in wives and slaves. The hard life of the Bedouins around the Suez and blasting Hyena. South Africa and the “bok” in all its forms and, sadly, the quagga (they have all gone). After the challenge of the Lion we move up to Abyssinia and reflections on native customs. A different part of the world the North American “Rockies” and a narrow escape from a grizzly bear … into the prairies and the mode of hunting adopted by the Red Indians. A skirmish with the Red Indians gives the buffalo a chance!

Old Shakarry from a different era – travel and hunting – in Many Lands

$160.00

Updating cart…

The Life of Captain James Cook – J.C. Beaglehole

Published by Adam & Charles Black, London 1974 a first of this issue having been previously published by the Hakluyt Society.

Large “royal” octavo, 760 pages with 4 sketch maps, 1 foldout map, 4 coloured plates and 67 black and white illustrations. Slight sunning of dust jacket spine and hint of foxing as often the case. A very good copy. A heavy book that will require an Overseas postage supplement.

Many would agree the best authority on James Cook. John Beaglehole wrote the definitive analysis of James Cook’s three monumental voyages published by the Hakluyt Society. Likewise, this book, on the man himself, is a superb digestible (albeit 700+ pages) account and a must for Cook admirers with a thirst for knowledge.

Best “Cook Book” by far …

$90.00

Updating cart…

Wrecks & Reputations [The Loss of the Schomberg and Loch Ard] – Don Charlwood

Published by Angus & Robertson in 1977. A very good copy, 190 pages with fine dust jacket.

Don Charwood’s well researched tightly composed and nicely illustrated account of the difficulties of early vessels sailing through the Western entrance of the Bass Strait.

Particular reference to the fate of the Schomberg and the Loch Ard and to its only survivors Eva Carmichael and the young man that saved her Tom Pearce.

The fate of many other ships of the “Loch” brand are listed – leads one to conclude never to sail in a vessel named Loch anything!

What out for the rocks!

$25.00

Updating cart…

Threnos for T.E. Lawrence – Henry Williamson (Author of Tarka the Otter)

The Discovery of the Clarie Coast Antarctic – Dumont d’Urville – 26th January 1840

The Tomb of Iurudef – A Memphite Official in the Reign of Ramesses II – Maarten Raven

Sport in Many Lands (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) by H.A. Leveson known as “Old Shakarry”

The Life of Captain James Cook – J.C. Beaglehole

Wrecks & Reputations [The Loss of the Schomberg and Loch Ard] – Don Charlwood

Product Categories