Non-fiction

Charlotte Barton: Australia’s First Children’s Author – Marcie Muir

A nice piece of work by Marcie Muir, font of all knowledge regarding Australian Children’s Books.

A 35-page octavo card covered pamphlet published by Wentworth Books, 1980. A limited edition of 500 copies this one not numbered or signed so we are not sure if that is correct. A very nice copy.

It was originally thought, an recorded by Ferguson, that the author of the first Australian children’s book “A Mother’s Offering to her Children” published Sydney 1841 was Lady Gordan Bremer. This work by Marcie proves beyond doubt that it was in fact Charlotte Barton. Drawing on a number of sources including Mrs Mins and Mrs Fanning both who wrote to Marcie the author pieces together the evidence and presents it in a very readable, entertaining and informative way. We like it!

Charlotte Barton proven as first Australian children’s author.

Postage will be reduced to cost appropriately on this light weight item.

$20.00

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The Impossible Voyage – Chay Blyth

Published by Hodder and Stoughton, London in 1971 a first edition. Octavo, 215 pages plus list of “stores” compiled by his wife. End paper charts and nicely illustrated from photographs of the preparations, voyage and celebrations. Dust jacket a but ruffled at the spine top and repaired on the inside. Otherwise a very good copy.

As Chay Blyth’s opening a paragraphs highlight the title of the book is a bit silly as his objectives if they were ‘Impossible” were achieved. The explanation of impossibility … “the first ever solo non-stop wrong way round the world sail against wind and current” .. again we are not too sure of that. We had better stop as it is Chay Blyth after all and it is a fantastic achievement. Any voyage that runs low (some refer to it as high) in the Southern Ocean is special and clipping the coastline of Tasmania even better. Highly praised back in England justifies a welcome from the Organist come Prime Minister Grocer Heath.

Chay Blyth makes his mark on the record books around alone .. but the wrong way, against all?

$20.00

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Temptress Returns – Edward Allcard – First Ed 1952

Published by Putnam, London a first edition 1952. Octavo, 304 pages plus rear chart, end paper maps, illustrations and diagrams and technical information at the end. Chip to dust jacket spine top and a little aging … still a very good copy now, like all our books, protected in removable Brodart. A super and scarce sought after account.

Edward Allcard’s important account of his “single-handed” Atlantic crossing west to east. In completing it he was the first person to have done it both ways alone.

The popular press also had a field day and the “singlehanded-ness” is in inverted comma’s because as he found a stowaway leaving the Azores … the Portuguese beauty … Otilia Maria de Mesquita Frayao. Tough times at sea.

Allcard first across both ways … One of the top ten post war sailing classics

$70.00

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Two-Horned Black Rhino – Shaw and Nodder – 1800

The now critically endangered African Black Rhino. Between 1960 and 1995 the population of the species dropped 98% to just 2,500. Since then it has recovered but only to an estimated 5,000. Recently made the news when seven black rhino’s died in an attempt to resettle them from Nairobi to Tsauo East National Park … due two human negligence .. one anonymous source said they given salt water to drink!

Copper engraved and hand coloured by Shaw & Nodder and published in London in 1800 (date engraved in the plate). Shaw was in charge of the Natural History Department at the British Museum. Nodder was an artist who worked for Banks on his Florilegium.

Price unframed $80.00 or $180.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style in black cored cream mat within gilt frame. Ready to hang in your study. Great finished gift for the naturally caring.

Critically endangered Rhino – let’s save him!

$80.00

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My Old Man and the Sea [Cape Horn] – David and Daniel Hays

Published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, North Carolina a first edition 1995. Unusually printed in Australia by the Australian Print Group.

Slim Octavo, nice production with a number of special charts and diagrams of the boat design etc .. no photographs … must have forgotten the camera. Very good if not fine condition.

A very nicely put together record of a father and sons voyage from New London, Connecticut through the Panama, down around the Horn and home. Oh … and with the Galapagos and Easter Island on the way.

David and Daniel Hayes not only sailed together but they built together the 25 foot Sparrow which was to look after them all the way.

A very good account and some excellent technical content.

Strap yourself in for the Horn with Hays and Hays

$25.00

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A Fighting Chance – How We Rowed the Atlantic in 92 Days – John Ridgway and Chay Blyth

Published by Paul Hamlyn, London 1967 a second impression. Octavo, 255 pages, illustrated and with end paper maps. Very good condition.

Captain John Ridgway and a very young looking Sergeant Chay Blyth row across the Atlantic west to east from Cape Cod to the Aran Isles of the coast of Ireland.

At the very end they were threatened against rocky cliffs. Paratrooper training helped them through.

Interesting book structure with each taking a chapter in turn having completed detailed logs of the voyage. Nice technical content at the rear

Rowing across the Atlantic a breeze for Ridgway and Blyth

$25.00

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Charlotte Barton: Australia’s First Children’s Author – Marcie Muir

The Impossible Voyage – Chay Blyth

Temptress Returns – Edward Allcard – First Ed 1952

Two-Horned Black Rhino – Shaw and Nodder – 1800

My Old Man and the Sea [Cape Horn] – David and Daniel Hays

A Fighting Chance – How We Rowed the Atlantic in 92 Days – John Ridgway and Chay Blyth

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