Maritime

With the “Aurora” in the Antarctic 1911-1914 – John King Davis – First Edition

The rare first edition of this primary Heroic era account. Published by Melrose, London no date but 1919.

Preface by Douglas Mawson. There is little that appears in “Home of the Blizzard” that appears here and vice versa. As such it is an excellent companion to the Blizzard and harder to find in any condition.

John King Davis skippered seven Antarctic voyages between 1907 and 1930.

Large octavo, xxi, 183 pages, 8 maps (1 folding), plan, 83 illustrations on 42 plates … more illustrations in text. Original blue cloth binding, titles to spine faded as usual, ship device and titles to front are as bright as we have seen, a little age a pale foxing, frontispiece reattached, a good copy of a very scarce item. Refer Taurus 101, Rosove 87, Spence 354.

John King Davis was Captain of the Aurora during Mawson’s 1911-1914 Expedition. The expedition encountered many challenges along with the dangerous weather and uncharted nature of the Antarctic coastline there were problems with the ship including failing pups and engine difficulties. Much of the success and relative safety of the expedition was put down to Davis’s “masterly seamanship, firm decision of mind, and courageous daring in handling the expedition ship Aurora” The Aurora made several critical voyages, establishing and the later relieving the wintering bases at Macquarie Island and the Antarctic mainland at Commonwealth Bay and the Shackleton Ice Shelf. Davis was left with the decision … whether to wait for blizzards and harsh seas to abate to collect Mawson’s party, or to relive the second base party led by Frank Wild … he chose the latter.

John King Davis and his first-hand account on the Aurora.

$890.00

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The Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1923

A first edition of the prestige edition of the biography of Shackleton by his long-time colleague and admirer Hugh Robert Mill.

Published by Heinemann, London in 1923. Large octavo, 312 pages, 19 illustrations from photographs and four maps in the text. Original blue cloth covered binding with gilt titling to front and spine and gilt shield. Previous owners name at front end papers. A very good copy of the first edition..

Mill states in his Preface that he had the assistance of lady Shackleton and the great man’s daughters Miss Shackleton, Miss A.V. Shackleton and Miss Eleanor Shackleton (the protocol of the 1920’s). He also acknowledges that the book is weighted towards the exploratory and whilst referencing Shackleton’s business exploit and war effort they are written with limited personal experience of the facts. Regardless of the qualification we find most interesting the chapters on Shackleton’s early life as sea starting as a “Boy” on the Iquique going around the Horn. The rest is “history” …

Shackleton by a man who knew him well.

$220.00

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Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

First US Edition published by Stokes, New York in 1923 – Scarce. Carries the imprint of Cassell, London Publisher, on spine.

Thick large octavo, xvi, and 372 pages, illustrated throughout from relevant photographs, maps etc. Decorated sky blue boards making a very attractive presentation. Scattered pale foxing aside a very good collectable copy.

Written by Commander Frank Wild C.B.E. from the Official Journal and Private Diary kept by Dr A.H. Macklin.

Shackleton driven to be in the Antarctic went back a fourth and for him final time in 1921.

The vessel the ill suited “Quest” a converted Norwegian sealer. The objectives were rather imprecise but included a circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent. Early in the voyage (at Rio) Shackleton had a suspected heart attack. He pushed on refusing proper treatment. On the 4^th January 1922 at South Georgia in the early hours of the morning he suffered a fatal attack.

The events are recorded here by his right-hand man Frank Wild (he had been on very Shackleton expedition). Wild believed that the “Boss” would have desired them to go on with the mission – which they did, and this is the record of the whole of the voyage and effort. In accordance with the widows wishes Shackleton was buried on South Georgia – later Frank Wild’s ashes were interred alongside Shackleton’s grave.

Shackleton and Wild no braver combination.

$890.00

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Van Diemens Land [Blackman’s Bay] and Ontong Java – Schley at the Hague in 1758

This unusual image was published by De Hondt, the Hague in 1758 for Provost’s History of Voyages. The image engraved by Jakob van der Schley was originally conceived by Francois Valentijn in 1726 relating to the voyage of Abel Tasman – that is that is what these images represent.

To focus on the lower image titled “Pays de Van Diemen // Diemens Land’ the image is actually of Blackman’s Bay the first place of landing of Abel Tasman.

The top image is of Ontong Java also know as Lord Howes Atoll but not to be confused with Lord Howe Island. Ontong Java is part of the Solomons Group – a small “boot shaped” island to the far north.

Sheet size 25 cm by 19 cm – image, with a strong impression and colouring 18 cm by 14 cm. A copper plate etching on hand made verge paper – a little creasing, generally a very good authentic example.

A good Tasmanian image of the actual first landing spot of Abel Tasman

$180.00

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Original 400 plus Year of Map of Tercera [The island of Terceira in the Azores] – Petrus Bertius – 1616

An original copper engraved miniature map by the great Petrus Bertius [1565-1629]. Published in the 1616 edition of the Tabularun Geograpicarum – the map engravings were executed by Jodocus Hondius Jnr who was related to Bertius.

Beautifully detailed, nicely coloured and embellished map with square rigged ship and sea monster. Numerous place names, mountains, rivers and vineyards, scale and compass and cartouche based around local produce. Nice hatching in the ocean areas. As you can see fine condition.

Framed approx. 30 cm by 25 cm – Map engraved area approx. 15 cm by 12 cm.

Framed in Voyager miniature map style for $290.00 or the map itself for $150.00

Geoffrey King the miniature map authority regarded these maps to be the most beautiful miniature maps ever made.

$150.00

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The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836 – Edited, introductions and Notes by Charles Darwin

Originally published by Smith and Elder in parts from 1839-1843. Considered a superb example of scientific publishing.

This is the three-volume facsimile published by Nova Pacifica, Wellington, New Zealand in 1980. Til then the only reproduction and even now the standout in terms of quality.

Limited to 750 copies. Three volumes quarto, 34 cm by 26 cm. Original quarter blue leather binding with salmon buckram covered boards. Separate contrasting title labels and gilt to spine, marbled end papers. Various pagination, complete, illustrated in colour and black and white including tipped in plates. A very good set. Very heavy may require a postage supplement especially Overseas.

Volume one comprises Fossil Mammalia by Richard Owen [part 1] and Mammalia by George R Waterhouse [part 2]. Volume two comprises Birds by John Gould [part 3] and Anatomical Appendix by T.C. Eyton. Volume three contains Fish by Leonard Jenyns [part 4] and Reptiles by Thomas Bell [part 5]

Who can afford the original? This super facsimile set the best alternative.

$790.00

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With the “Aurora” in the Antarctic 1911-1914 – John King Davis – First Edition

The Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton – Hugh Robert Mill – First Edition 1923

Shackleton’s Last Voyage -The Story of the Quest – Frank Wild – First Edition 1923

Van Diemens Land [Blackman’s Bay] and Ontong Java – Schley at the Hague in 1758

Original 400 plus Year of Map of Tercera [The island of Terceira in the Azores] – Petrus Bertius – 1616

The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836 – Edited, introductions and Notes by Charles Darwin

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