Non-fiction

Batavia’s Graveyard – The True Story of the Mad Heretic Who Led History’s Bloodiest Mutiny – Dash

First edition of Mike Dash’s book on the bloody Batavia story. Published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London 2002.

Thick octavo, 398 pages including extensive bibliography. A very good. Illustrated with maps and charts.

The Dutch East India vessel Batavia struck an uncharted reef off the West Coast of Australia on her maiden voyage in 1629. A total of 332 men, women and children were on board. A few headed off in a life boat to seek help. The remainder ended up on a small coral island less than a kilometre long. A band of mutineers began a cold – blooded killing spree … only eight remained alive when help arrived three months later. The ringleader Jeronimus Cornelisz a failed apothecary and heretic.

Gruesome true story of the strangest atrocities following a shipwreck off Australia in 1629.

$35.00

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Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

A strange one appears to be effectively self published but through the great Bernard Quaritch, London. Limited to only 150 copies.

A most interesting account of the Portuguese Explorer who is attributed with the Discovery of Brazil. Born into a noble family circa 1467. In his discovery years he was likely the first person on the planet to step foot on four continents all in one voyage of 1500 when he did a significant exploration of the north east coast of South America and stuck the flag in the ground for Portugal. He then followed Vasco da Gama to the east and India in search of those valuable spices.

Large squarish octavo, 72 pages. Original calf backed red cloth covered boards, gilt titling along spine. A very good copy of a scarce item.

Pedro Cabral an oft overlooked Explorer

$120.00

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An account of a Voyage to Establish a Colony at port Philip in Bass’s Strait, on the South Coast of New South Wales, in His Majesty’s Ship Calcutta, in the Years 1803-3-4. – J.H. Tuckey.

Tuckey was a First Lieutenant of the Calcutta and this is a true facsimile of the voyage to and affairs in Australia of the abandoned attempt to create a settlement at Port Philip and the consequence of the move that led to the foundation of Hobart in Tasmania. Some useful footnotes are added.

The voyage out occupies approximately 60% of the book .. to Teneriffe; Cape Verde; Rio de Janeiro [much about Rio]; Cape of Good Hope [Via Voyager’s favourite island group Tristan d’Acunha; then the mysterious St Paul's and on to Port Philip. Them transactions at Port Philip which gives rise to the addenda … lists of plants; Meteorological observations; timbers found and observations respecting the selection of convicts and the means of preserving health. Hobart get a mention but its brief before the vessel turns for home.

Published by marsh etc, Melbourne in 1974. Octavo, set as the original of 1805, 240 pages. Bound in full leather with impressed design to front and back, raised bands to spine, separate leather title label [spare label at back]. Number 51 of a limited edition of 500. Hand bound at the Dove Bindery, Melbourne. A very good copy albeit previous ownership details hidden in the end papers.

Tuckey on the Calcutta – his account.

$120.00

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The Tregurtha Log – Relating the Adventurous Life of Capt Edward Primrose Tregurtha.

A pretty sumptuous production by Published and Editor Dan Sprod. Published under his Blubber Press in 1980.

Folio, 166 pages, illustrated, tipped in volured plate and tipped in frontispiece, elaborate design to title page, end paper maps. A fine copy.

Limited to six hundred numbered copies, in this form, of which this is numbered 474, signed by Dan Sprod.

Cornishman Tregurtha led an adventurous life for sure. Started out in the Navy at none years old in the Napoleonic Wars. Then to East Indiamen to China. As a grown man to Hobart and Captain of the Caroline and South Sea Whaling. His Log the subject of this book was in the possession of Norman Whettenhall [a surname we know well] of Melbourne … we can’s imagine the excitement of Dan Sprod when he first read this treasure.

A rather stunning book and one hell of a story

$90.00

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Helmets and Hatchets – A History of the Hobart Fire Brigade 1883-1983 – Roger McNeice.

Someone once explained to Voyager that the making of a Fire Brigade was the defining moment in any Nation. They did however build Fire Engine.

Enough, this is a super book about this important service to the community .. non less than in Southern Tasmania which has had its fair share of very difficult fires.

Published by the State Fire Commission in 1983. Signed by author McNeice on the title page.

Large wide octavo, 237 pages, heavily illustrated mainly from period photographs. A very good near fine copy.

“Fireys” honoured after 100 years service to Hobart

$40.00

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Australia’s Worst Shipwrecks – Chris Halls

A difficult thing to define worst shipwreck – most lives lost, largest boat sunk etc etc. Chris Hall however has made a good selection .. with a bit of breadth … historical relevance is the key we believe.

Published by Rigby in 1978. Octavo, 157 pages, illustrated. Fine condition.

Includes the early Dutch ship the Zuytdorp off Western Australia and then a big move geographically and in time to King island, where there have been almost too many shipwreck to count. The tragedy of the Star of Greece and the Quetta in the far north. Ghost ships appear near the end and add a bit of intrigue ..

A good roundup of the most famous wrecks over the ages on the Australian coastline.

$25.00

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Batavia’s Graveyard – The True Story of the Mad Heretic Who Led History’s Bloodiest Mutiny – Dash

Pedraluarez Cabral (Pedro Alluarez De Gouvea) – His Progenitors His Life and His Voyages to America and India – James McClymont – 1912.

An account of a Voyage to Establish a Colony at port Philip in Bass’s Strait, on the South Coast of New South Wales, in His Majesty’s Ship Calcutta, in the Years 1803-3-4. – J.H. Tuckey.

The Tregurtha Log – Relating the Adventurous Life of Capt Edward Primrose Tregurtha.

Helmets and Hatchets – A History of the Hobart Fire Brigade 1883-1983 – Roger McNeice.

Australia’s Worst Shipwrecks – Chris Halls

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