Non-fiction

Grandfather Clocks and their cases – Brian Loomes

A first edition of this classic work published by David & Charles Newton Abbot, London in 1985.

Largish quarto, 352 pages, illustrated throughout. A very good if not better copy. Heavy, unsuitable for Overseas postage, subsidised by Voyager in Australia.

Brian Loomes was a Yorkshireman and new more about clocks than anybody. The book contains images of some of the greatest clocks the likes of which will surely never be made again. Now a collector’s book and maybe for the digitally challenged.

Classic clocks for clock lovers – tick tock

$80.00

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The Dutch Seaborne Empire 1600-1800 – C.R. Boxer

Published by Hutchinson, London 1n 1965, a first edition. The author Charles Boxer was the Professor of Portuguese at Kings College, London at the time – he would likely have been the Dutch Professor also .. if they had had one.

Large octavo, 326 pages, illustrated throughout, very good dust jacket, a lightly embossed stamp on title,. A very good copy of a special work now hard to find.

Not your usual narrative, this book looks at the reasons behind the rise of the Dutch as a major seafaring nation from the mid 1600’s for over a century. Peace was signed after an eighty year war with Spain in 1648 and for the Dutch the seagoing expansion was near to phenomenal in terms of speed and ambition. Useful appendices include a chronology 1568-1795 which provides a framework …

The author Charles Boxer was an incredibly colourful character. Born into a military family (although his mothers family had been early sheep farmers in Tasmania). He enlisted and found himself in Japan in the 1930’s. Then a full blown spy in Hong Kong at the beginning of War II, imprisoned by the Japanese for three years. He married the most beautiful woman in Hong Kong , Ursula Tulloch, but left her for a life with the equally glamorous American writer Emily Hahn. Back in England his depth of knowledge was recognised in receiving the Lisbon sponsored Professorship which he made is own.

The Dutch … their power at sea and what was behind it …

$40.00

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Rare Microscope Slide by Harry Webb – Transverse Section of Mistletoe – c1860

Harry Webb (1816-1866) was a professional mounter who lived in George Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham England. His initials are embedded in the custom-made decorative slide papers.

A nice transverse section of the mistletoe stem.

There is a brief reference to Harry Webb in the key work by Brian Bracegirdle – Microscopical Mounts and Mounters (page 100) and an unattributed example (Page 39-P). we have this information from a later reviewer who knows their stuff – but we struggle to agree that the example shown in the book is from HW.

Webb’s work featured in several international shows and he is thought to have been awarded at least one prize. He was recommended by top line microscope makers. Unfortunately, something went very wrong and he took his life drinking phenol – which would not be a nice way to go.

Rare maker with definitive slide papers – 165 years old!

$40.00

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Around Tasmania in a Whaleboat 1986 – In the Wake of James Kelly – Ben Cuthbertson [Signed by the Author]

170 years after James Kelly’s famous voyage in a whaleboat around Tasmania, Ben Cuthbertson, sailor, marine enthusiast, maritime historian set out to replicate the event.

In this his personal, self published account he describes the adventure from the outset and during the voyage compares his with that of Kelly which makes the whole much more enjoyable.

Octavo, soft cover, 80 pages, some illustrations, published the year of the voyage. Fine condition. Signed boldly by the author bottom of title page.

Cuthbertson around Tassie in the style of the great seaman James Kelly of Hobart Town.

$35.00

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Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

Published by Murray, London 1891. A new edition now including portraits of each of the illustrious subjects. Large Octavo, 483 pages plus index.

Bound by Relfe Brother in full rich red polished calf with, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather title label. Gilt work to spine and board edges and gilt shield of Malvern College to front. Marbled end papers continuing to all page edges.

A superb biographical record of these influential 19th Century men …..
1. Martin Joseph Routh
2. Hugh James Rose
3. Charles Marriott
4. Edward Hawkins
5. Samuel Wilberforce
6. Richard Lynch Cotton
7. Richard Greswell
8. Henry Octavius Coxe
9. Henry Longueville Mansel
10. William Jacobson
11. Charles Page Eden
12. Charles Longuet Higgins

Relfe bookbinders were one of the great late 19thC London bookbinders servicing Royalty and all the very best establishments and posh schools and colleges.

A substantial book about substantial people!

$60.00

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Pacific Odyssey [Three Years in the Pacific - Easter Island, Samoa, Tuvalu etc] – Gwenda Cornell – 1985

Published by Adlard Coles, London in 1985 a first edition soft cover. 218 pages, double page map and black and white illustrations.

A super Pacific voyage taking in Easter Islands, Samoa, the birth of Tuvalu and the nose flute playing in Tonga. Three years in all were spent in the Pacific in what would be a six year round the world adventure.

A sailing adventure to die for and a well written narrative.

$25.00

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Grandfather Clocks and their cases – Brian Loomes

The Dutch Seaborne Empire 1600-1800 – C.R. Boxer

Rare Microscope Slide by Harry Webb – Transverse Section of Mistletoe – c1860

Around Tasmania in a Whaleboat 1986 – In the Wake of James Kelly – Ben Cuthbertson [Signed by the Author]

Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

Pacific Odyssey [Three Years in the Pacific - Easter Island, Samoa, Tuvalu etc] – Gwenda Cornell – 1985

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