Non-fiction

Admiral of the Ocean-Sea (Columbus) – Mary Johnston – 1927

A very good copy of the 1927 edition published by Butterworth, London. Rare with the dust jacket.

A novelisation of the adventures and achievements of Columbus. Octavo, 319 pages, red cloth covered boards protected by a pretty good dust jacket – as we say a scarcity. Double page chart of the voyages near the front. Some age to page edges otherwise super.

The discovery of America funded by Isabella of Spain. Told through the eyes of Jayme de Marchena a common seaman who rises to be ship’s physician and Columbus’s trusted friend and adviser.

Columbus and his adventures and discoveries.

$40.00

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Thirty-Seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar, the Suras and Assam – The Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

A facsimile of this scarce book originally published in Bombay in 1908. This edition by Wolfe Publishing of Prescott, Arizona published in 1993. Described as a “quality limited edition”.

Thick large “Royal” octavo, 461 pages, illustrated as the original, large folding map of the region at rear. Bound nicely in faux burgundy morocco, gilt embellishments and title, all edges richly gilt, headbands and silk page marker. A nice production in “as new” condition.

Described as a “rough diary” covering the period from 1871 to 1907. Set out in XXIX chapters, each dealing with specific expedition or encounters. Precise records of prizes bagged, and the various blunt instruments used carefully listed near the rear.

Nowadays, not everyone’s “cup of tea” but we consider an important relic of the era and a super travel account of the region.

For those geographically limited Cook Behar is in the North of West Bengal in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya.

The sport of the Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

$70.00

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Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

There were two printings of this work by Argonaut Press London this is the upmarket edition spine vellum bound.

Published in 1931, printed by Morrison of Edinburgh, quarto, xxxvii, 376 pages. Printed on fine Japon vellum paper. Wine-red cloth bound with gilt device to front, true vellum spine with gilt titling. Limited to 975 copies. Woodcut on title by William Monk. Folding maps all present. A very good copy of a desirable Dampier. What looks like toning on the map is just our scanner on the polished japon paper … it’s as clean as a whistle.

With a long introduction and notes by Dampier expert Clennell Wilkinson. In our view this introduction is what sets this lovely book apart from the numerous facsimiles even those of fine printed quality.

Wilkinson explains the rather odd order of Dampier’s recollections … as they are not chronological but likely driven by the need to get paid in-between various adventurous explorations. Some early Dampier in Central America where he had to roll his sleeves up – and also his diaries. At one time in desperation whilst lost in Central American rain forests Dampier had to swim several raging creeks. To protect his diaries he used a sealed bamboo tube in which the rolled up diaries travelled. He was making notes early in life a habit he kept going until near the end. Piracy was soon his trade and then on to fame and sponsored explorer. Whilst back in England he mixed with the rich la-di-da and was sought after for upper crust social gatherings. Jonathan Swift likely knew him maybe not quite as the cousin he suggests of Gulliver. Swift was some fifteen years younger and would have read Dampier’s words which provided the inspiration for the settings of the “Travels

Sorry rambling – specifically, Part I Voyage to Achin, Malacca and Tonquin; Voyage to Tenan and a journey inland to Cachoa; After Tonquin – Cambodia and Bencouli then Achin in detail. Part II – Voyage to Campeachy, Jucatan, Alcranes and the Island of Pines. Various adventurous activities – Indians etc. Part II The [famous] Discourse of Winds, Storms, Seasons, Tides and Currents etc. Maps of the Streights of Malacca; Bay of Campechy; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the Atlantik and Indian Oceans; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the great South Ocean.

William Dampier if only he was alive today.

$130.00

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Hunting and Shooting in Ceylon – Harry Storey

A facsimile of another colonial hunting book – not for the faint-hearted.

Originally published by Longmans, London in 1907; this by Asian Educational of Delhi etc in 1998.

Octavo, 366 pages, illustrations as in the original. Faux leather binding, gilt embellishment, some occasional marks, still a pretty good copy.

Lots of contributions from his gunpowder loving friends and the whole gambit of Ceylonese wildlife put at risk. Forgive our implied – actually a very good book of its type – honest and fulsome. Nicely written with an “in the moment” narrative and images couldn’t be better chosen – some coverage of ancient ruins – such as the impressive Polonnaruwa.

Banging on in Ceylon with Harry.

$30.00

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The Hunter Sketchbook. Birds & Flowers of New South Wales drawn on The Spot in 1788 89 & 90 By Captain John Hunter of the First Fleet.

A really rather beautiful and slightly strangely titled work.

We say strangely titled because we do not have to read far about the original sketchbook, (once owned by the great Rex Nan Kivell and now housed in the Australian National Library) to find that the sketches include fishes and people … and of New South Wales and also Norfolk and Lord Howe islands. Peeking at the reproductions of the sketches we can also see a kangaroo and a dolphin. What is really surprising is the rarity now of some of the birds he drew e.g. the Swift Parrot and we wonder where he saw that bird …

Captain Hunter, to be Governor Hunter, known as a skilled sketch artist through the illustrations in his sought after First Fleet journal .. but these images take one’s understanding and admiration to a whole new level.

No expense spared production limited to 500 copies and with a further 50 sets of unbound plates. Edited by John Calaby with assistance. Published in 1989. Quarto, x, 252 pages with 100 full page colour plates and other illustrations in the lengthy introductions. Bound in quarter calf, raised bands to spine, separate green leather title label, exotic marble paper covered boards, original removable glassine protector, silk ribbon release from original open slip cover. A fine copy.

A special edition from a unique work of historical significance – an Australian National Treasure.

$190.00

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The Silent Service – Ion Idriess and T.M. Jones – First edition 1944

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney during WWII. A bit foxed particularly, title and page edges.

A super book about the part played by the Australian and New Zealand navies during WWII. Idriess’s co-contributor was know as Torpedo-Man.

Octavo, 338 , end paper maps, chipped but quite worthwhile dust jacket.

A very worthwhile book and these should not be forgotten exploits.

$50.00

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Admiral of the Ocean-Sea (Columbus) – Mary Johnston – 1927

Thirty-Seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar, the Suras and Assam – The Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

Hunting and Shooting in Ceylon – Harry Storey

The Hunter Sketchbook. Birds & Flowers of New South Wales drawn on The Spot in 1788 89 & 90 By Captain John Hunter of the First Fleet.

The Silent Service – Ion Idriess and T.M. Jones – First edition 1944

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