Exploration

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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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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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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The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

Adrian Hayter was chosen as the leader of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition of 1964-65.

This is his record of experiences at and around the Scott Base in the Ross Sea Dependency.

Published by the Quality Book Club following the Hodder and Stoughton first the same year 1968. We also have the Hodder version … see separate write up.

Octavo,191 pages, illustrated from original photographs, diagrams etc. A very good copy apart from light soiling front jacket

A well written and readable account from the previously published author. As well as the trips, experience, difficulties etc we have a honest account of the personnel issues that arise out of the extended close contact and isolation.

Reference Renard 680

Good cold weather account on the industrious NZ Antarctic team

$25.00

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The Territory – Ernestine Hill

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

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

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

The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

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