Politics

Letters From High Latitudes – Earl of Dufferin Governor General of India – From the Library of The Novar of Raith, Ronald Munro Ferguson, to be 6th Governor General of Australia and, who had married the daughter of Lord Dufferin, Lady Helen Hermoine in the year that Ferguson signed the inside of this book 1889.

Being some account of a Voyage in 1856 in the Schooner Yacht “Foam” to Iceland, Jan Meyen, and Spitzbergen.

Eighth edition published by John Murray in 1887, London, having been published a number of times since the first of 1857. New editions continued on well into the 20th Century.

Octavo, 248 pages, with frontispiece of the “First Glimpse of Jan Mayen”, and numerous illustrations throughout. Original blude cloth covered boards with gilt device to front, gilt titles to spine. Original jet black endpapers with Ronald Munro Ferguson, Novar of Raith’s bookplate on the front paste down. Also, signed and dated by Ferguson on a blank page before the half title July 27″ 89, the year he married Duffrein’s daughter … a wedding gift from the father-in-law?

Written as if a series of lengthy letters. Some unusual introductory content … poem “To The Figure=Head of the “Foam””; list of Dramatis Personae … Protesilaus stumbles on the threshold; the Icelander – a modern Sir Patrick Spens; Loch Goil – the Saga of Clan Campbell; through the Sounds – Stornaway; Out into the North Atlantic and gales and sea sickness – first sight of Iceland, landing at Thule; Reykjavik and buying horses … the lava plateau, mystical mountains, crossing the Arctic Circle; On to Jan Mayen and the volcanic Mount Berrenberg; Sailing for Bear Island and Cherie Island, the Freer Sea, landing at Spitzbergen, English Bay and Lady Edith’s Glacier …

Despite the popularity of the expedition and the book of events this was the only published work of the rather busy Frederick Hamilton-Temple -Blackwood, the First Marquess of Dufferin and Ava of Northern Ireland. Dufferin (1826-1902) was variously .. 3rd Governor of Canada, Viceroy and Governor General of India, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster etc he also held senior positions in the Middle East. Born into wealth he was educated at Oxford. Late in life he became involved in a major financial scandal resulting in the loss of most of his own fortune. He was exonerated of any blame , seemingly.

Ronald Munro Ferguson (1860-1934) was born at Kirkcaldy, Scotland. He attended Sandhurst an after a military career was elected to the House of Commons in 1884. In 1914 he was appointed Governor-General of Australia, forming a close bond with Prime Minister Billy Hughes during the difficult years of WWI. He held office until 1920, the six year term then being a record. Returned to Scotland to become 1st Viscount Novar and Secretary for Scotland. After politics he held Board and Management position in a number of Insurance and banking companies and, was knighted in 1926.

Price $180.00

Dufferin in the “Foam” in the cold North … unusual descriptive writing. Exceptional provenance

$180.00

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Lachlan Macquarie – His Life, Adventures and Times – Ellis – First Edition 1947

The definitive work on Australia’s early Scottish Governor. The man that brought civilisation to the country from paved streets to the arts – also pushed harder for inland exploration and a greater understanding of the vast outback.

First edition 1947, quarto, 697 pages, differing end paper maps and eight full page colour plates. Dust jacket a bit tired but scarce and has protected the boards well, flecking to page edges and some age near the ends, otherwise bright and clean internally. Previous ownership name and stamp at front. A pretty good copy priced accordingly. A heavy book which mat require a tad more postage dependent on buyer location.

The author Malcolm Henry Ellis (1890-1969) … Queensland born journalist and historian. An avid ant-communist … he dislike Manning Clark and his historical work believing Clark inclined to leftist’s views in his writing and inclined to via away from historical fact when it suited his point of view.

Lengthy but written in an easily read style, we can see why this has become the go to text on Macquarie. The format is set out as if five separate books covering distinctive periods in his life … the titles of which give little away as to content Needless to say we cover his early years as a dashing lieutenant, time in India, his loves, Egypt and to Australia and his early successes … a period that would stretch from 1810 to 1821. He pioneered the development of commerce, inland exploration and urban development. A patron of the arts and literature.

Macquarie much more than a flash Bank

$50.00

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The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory – 1832

A special facsimile of a valuable reference published by James Raymond Postmaster of New South Wales that year – 1832. The original printed by Stephens and Stokes of King Street, Sydney. Nice multi-folding frontispiece map of Sydney.

This facsimile published by the Trustees of the Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney and represents publication No 7 of the William Dixson Foundation.

An almanac or directory to beat all directories. In this form, octavo, paginated 204 after preliminaries, then approx. 100 pages unpaginated containing … Flag Signals (with coloured illustration); Calendar of Solar Eclipses, Moveable Feast, Monthly Calendar … religious dates, historical anniversaries, moon phases etc, Directory of names. Manfred Cross’s copy with his neat signature on the front end paper. Very good copy only slight rubbing to dust jacket.

The first (paginated) part carries the names of the extensive Civil Establishment … the power of Darling, McArthur, Blaxland, Cox etc easily seen. A list of all Sydney vessels with weigh and purpose. Land regulations, Government charges etc. And the main game, a wordy and worthwhile description “Itinerary of Roads throughout New South Wales” which runs for 110 pages taking one down every path and describing every crossing and property along the way. A super reference.

New South Wales in Detail in 1832.

$50.00

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Cromwell – English Civil War – Sarcastic Notices of the Long Parliament – Editor J.C. Hotten [1863 re 1660]

Title continues … A List of the Members that Held Places, both Civil and Military … with the Sums of Money and Lands which they Divided among Themselves.

A Victorian facsimile, published 1863, of a nigh impossible to get 17th Century account.

A first of type. Bound in original salmon cloth covered boards, very clean copy internally, a small dint to the board front edge and sun effect to lower rear board … despite that a very good copy. Very clean internally printed on top class paper for the esteemed Chiswick Press.

Small quarto, 49 pages plus adverts of interest regarding other classic references.

The original accounts were titled “Mystery of the Good Old Cause’ of 1660, a satire on the Long Parliamentarians ‘self denying’ act, essentially a biographical catalogue of Parliamentarian collaborators. The Editor remarks … “Only a very few copies of the present work have been reprinted”.

Having carried out research at Voyager, we cannot sensibly estimate the print run, but can say that few copies exist anywhere. We are also intrigued by the family names that seem to have benefited from the goings on … many still seem to be at the top of the money pile today.

For those not informed the Long Parliament was … well long … 1640-1660. It followed the Short Parliament, which last three weeks in the aforesaid 1640. That in turn followed 11 years without a Parliament, Changing times.

The reality of English 17th Century – Greed but with Control … super record of goings on among the well healed of the day

$190.00

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Modern Egypt [1877-1907] – Evelyn Baring – the Earl Cromer – 2 Volumes First Editions 1908

First edition published by Macmillan, London in 1908. Two thick volumes, 595 pages and 600 pages, folding map at rear of Anglo-Soudan, frontispiece portrait of the author. Covers in very good condition, some light foxing at the front (because of the frontispiece tissue guard) and the map otherwise very clean throughout. Very good copies. Total weight 2.5 kgs

Ismail Pasha had borrowed heavily for the Suez Canal. Too much, and the debt was based on the cotton crop. Prices of cotton had been high during the American Civil War, but when this was over the cotton price collapsed. Egypt was effectively bankrupt by 1876. By agreement the French and the British too charge of Egypt’s financial affairs.

Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl Comer was appointed the British Controller General and took the lead hand. After the Ahmed Urabi Revolt the British effectively absorbed Egypt into the Empire and Cromer became Consul General. Lord Dufferin conducted an investigation and prepared and influential report. In May 1882 a skirmish broke out and massacres took place in Alexandria, panic spread through Egypt, Alexandria was bombarded, abandoned and burnt. Baring continues with his history, incorporating the Sudan and the exploits of Gordan. Given his position and access to all documents relating to Egyptian affairs both in Egypt and London no more comprehensive account could have been written.

Cromer in charge Egypt 1877-1907

$90.00

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Honours Conferred by Charles II (A Catalogue of Nobility) – First Edition 1662

Printed by Robert Pawley at the Sign of the Bible in Chancery-Lane near the Temple 1662.

Full and proper title … Catalogue of Nobility – The Names and Titles of all such Dukes, Earls, Viscounts and Barons, Knights of the Garter, Knights of the Bath, and Knights Baronets, made by His Majesty K. Charles II. With the times of their Creations. Also, The Names of His Majesties Privy Council, the Bishops and Piers of the Realm as they are placed in this present Parliament. With the addition of above 40 new Honours.

Small octavo, 68 pages after title and one-page Publishers Catalogue … which include the then useful “A Collection of What is Treason by the Laws of England”.

Rebound at some date in full vellum with gilt titles to front in decorative gilt broader, nice gilt devices and lines to spine, silk ribbon added. A very nice presentation.

After the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, King Charles II quickly enhanced the “system” of privilege … the old names were there … Percy of Northumberland but many new ones were added … with all that in place his back was covered? And more time could be afforded to his greatest joy … to party.

Period record of the Honours of Charles II – 1662

$260.00

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Lachlan Macquarie – His Life, Adventures and Times – Ellis – First Edition 1947

The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory – 1832

Cromwell – English Civil War – Sarcastic Notices of the Long Parliament – Editor J.C. Hotten [1863 re 1660]

Modern Egypt [1877-1907] – Evelyn Baring – the Earl Cromer – 2 Volumes First Editions 1908

Honours Conferred by Charles II (A Catalogue of Nobility) – First Edition 1662

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