Products | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

War and Peace – The book of the picture story of Leo Tolstoy’s great novel.

Published by Frederick Fell. New York in 1956. Large octavo 120 pages after preliminaries. Very good condition with near full dust jacket just some signs of ageing particularly the back of the dust jacket. Internally fresh and clean. Over 120 images from the screen and how good are they.

Adapted from the novel and the motion picture by Bernard Geis and he did a good job given the size of the Tolstoy volume and the length and complexity of the film. A relevant forward by Professor Atwood Townsend, New York University. The cast as famous as the book with the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn as Natasha and Henry Fonda as Pierre Bezukhov and then we have John Mills, Herbert Lom (a very Napoleon Napoleon) and Anita Ekberg as Helene.

A special book for fans of Tolstoy, War and Peace, Fonda and Hepburn and the cinema

$40.00

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The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

Superior two volume set published by Covici, New York in May 1928 part of limited set of 960 this copy numbered 427 signed by the translator J.U. Nicolson. Typography by C. McMurtie.

Royal Octavo 809 pages all up after preliminaries. A near fine set rich red cloth covered boards with gilt title to spine and front unmarked, fully protected by complete heavy black dust jackets with a slight edge crease and a small closed tear. Top edge rich gilt very clean internally pages bright as new. Dust jackets nearly always missing with this set. Lovely full page sepia-tone illustrations as frontispiece and throughout the volumes. A heavy set near 3 kgs so may require some extra postage dependent on your location.

The volumes are set out side by side original French and English translation. Villon (1431 to c1463) by far the best-known French poet of the late Middle Ages, a renowned and shady character whose verses chronicle his escapades. He was born in Paris and disappeared from “historical” view in 1463. He had multiple encounters with the law. His real name may have been Francois de Montcorbier or Francois des Loges. Whatever, his nom de plume “Villon”’ appears everywhere in his writing. His work suggests he was born into poverty and raised by a foster father (from whom he adopted the name Villon). He was bright and received qualifications from the University of Paris at an early age. His first real skirmish with the law came in 1455 when he “accidentally” killed a man during a scuffle. He was banished and then pardoned when evidence was produced that the dead party had forgiven him before the lights went out. Shortly afterwards he was involved in a serious robbery and after various complexities was banished and wandered the country supposedly as part of a gang of thieves. In 1461, he spent the “summer” in the Bishop’s prison at Meung-sur-Loire and dodgey things went on from there.

All of this makes for interesting poetic accounts of life as Villon experienced it. Le Testament written in 1461 is regarded as his greatest work, His work is sprinkled with mystery and hidden jokes and include much slang from the underworld he inhabited. His texts include the real names of many influential people of the time … the rich, royal officials, lawyers, police and prostitutes. The most quoted refrain “Mais ou sont les neiges d’antan?” (Where are the snows of yester-year?) comes from the Ballade des dames du temps jadis and has been quoted from Rossetti to the hit TV program Downton Abbey. We cannot write about Villon’s influence in Film, Theatre, Poetry etc. as we would be here all year!

All of Villon in French and English in Fine Presentation.

$180.00

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The Friendly Arctic – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – c1927

The first UK edition c1927 of this great book by Stefansson. Imperial octavo 784 pages after preliminaries with two very good folding maps in rear pocket. A substantial volume. Very good condition albeit foxing to endpapers up to the title otherwise clean and throughout. Magnificently illustrated with 68 plates and a further 7 maps, some folding, in the body of the work.

Forward by Gilbert Grosvenor and introduction by Sir Robert Bowden setting out the origin and organisation of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-18. Records of incredible tributes of Stefansson from Greely and the last public appearance of Admiral Peary who died shortly afterwards.

Stefansson most comprehensive in his written account with many images and maps

$120.00

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Arctic Manual – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – 1944

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1944. Thick octavo 556 pages after preliminaries with its dust jacket getting very scarce. Very good condition.

A special book prepared by the highly qualified Stefansson under the direction of the United Sates Army.

Prepared to provide realistic advice on how to survive when stranded in the Arctic. The book is introduced by a historical background relating to early voyagers and the seeking of the elusive North West passage. He discusses in depth the topography of the land and the nature of the seas and ice. The climate (obviously) and the physical effects of cold. Winds, gales and special aviation problems. Wildlife, pests and parasites. Shelter and the many advantages of snow houses over tents (Voyager has memorised the methods of making good snow houses as a precaution). And survival, clothing, food, health and first aid. Hunting and fishing various methods and transportation in this difficult environment.

Really the only Arctic Manual by Stefansson – You never know!

$90.00

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North West to Fortune (The Discovery of the North West Passage) – Stefansson – First UK Edition 1960

Prolific explorer and writer Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s last book on the history of solving the North West passage. A first British edition published by Allen & Unwin in 1960 … Stefansson died in 1962 at 83 years of age. Octavo, 356 pages after preliminaries, end paper maps, very good condition.

Given his exploration record and the many years spent within the Arctic Circle who better to write this book. Starting the primary objectives of Columbus and Cabot to find route west to the Far East. The first recorded note of the concept is that of Robert Thorne, merchant of Bristol who produced two papers preserved by Hackluyt one addressed to Henry VIII … “I know it to be my bounden duty to manifest this secret to your Grace, which hitherto, I suppose, has been hid”. The proof was more difficult and many lives were lost.

Stefansson’s record goes well beyond the broader list of adventurers Cook, Franklin, McClure (in search of Franklin) and John Rae and later Amundsen. He covers in detail the efforts of the Fur Traders and finally the epoch-making achievement” of the US submarine, Nautilus.

North West Passage complete by Stefansson

$60.00

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Early Map of Aprutium (Abruzzo Italy) Petrus Bertius – 1599

A lovely original map of Abruzzo on the central east coast of Italy. A very early map from the 1599 Dutch edition of “Caert – Thresoor” issued by Barent Langenes which preceded the edition published by Bertius himself by three years (reference expert King page 82).

Several cities are noted including San Angelo, Pescara, Ascoli, Aguila and Alba in the South. The major rivers woods and the high mountain ranges to the east are clearly defined. These Mountains, now known as the Gran Sasso D’Italia are the home of Europe’s southernmost glacier and the now hugely endangered Italian brown bear.

Map dimensions to the extent of the engraved image 135mm by 90mm. Excellent condition.

Price framed in Voyager Miniature map style in beaded gilt frame with gilt fillet (superb) $190.00 …. if you would like it unframed then enquire.

Over four hundred year old map of Abruzzo … click on me to see me all!

$190.00

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All products

War and Peace – The book of the picture story of Leo Tolstoy’s great novel.

The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

The Friendly Arctic – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – c1927

Arctic Manual – Vilhjalmur Stefansson – 1944

North West to Fortune (The Discovery of the North West Passage) – Stefansson – First UK Edition 1960

Early Map of Aprutium (Abruzzo Italy) Petrus Bertius – 1599

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