Products | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Adam in Plumes [New Guinea] – Colin Simpson.

A first edition published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney in 1954. Octavo, 268 pages, many illustrations, great condition albeit small piece missing from free end paper. Dust jacket to die for.

This is Simpson’s fourth book and third non-fiction work, and the second time in New Guinea.

An often overlooked account of the Wahgi Valley, an astonishing place, so immense in New Guinea. And, the Leahy brothers who following an expedition set out to live among, exploit and integrate (they certainly did that) with the local people.

Very nicely illustrated with some quite special images … we particularly like the Wahgi man brandishing his stone axe at Jim Taylor … some passion there.

Adam in Plumes – Well among the Wahgi.

$30.00

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The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

Described as a “personal choice with a new introduction” by the author … good for him.

Octavo, 275 pages published by BCA in 1993. A very good near fine copy.

The author had been writing for seventeen years before it dawned on his that he needed a “character” like Maigret or Sherlock Holmes and it was out of this thought that Rumpole emerged … thank heavens for that.

Undoubtedly the most likeable Barrister of all time … opinions gladly received at Voyager. Here we have his best work, seemingly, with Rumpole … and the Younger Generation; the Showfolk; the Tap End; the Bubble Reputation; on Trial and our favourite …. The Children of the Devil.

Great night time reading … everyone needs to be Rumpole now and again now where is the claret?

Rumpole – several of his finest.

$30.00

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The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

A very good copy of the second printing of the First edition published in George Allen and Unwin, London in 1977.

Large octavo, 365 pages with tow maps included large folding map, of Belleriand and the Lands to the North, at the rear. Top edge stained blue and blue headband as required by this edition. Super condition.

Published posthumously, edited by his son, and mostly written between the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Seemingly the Publisher thought this selection of tales all too complex for their Hobbit audience … so foolish of them.

The stories comprise the first 304 pages then we have five pages of family/clan trees … for the House of Finwe and the Noldrin descent of Elrond and Elros; The Descendants of Olwe and Elwe; the House of Beor and the mortal descent of Eltona and Elros etc. Then a useful note on Pronunciation [best to go here first for the full effect]. And a monster index of place name, characters, objects etc.Closing with several pages on “elements of Quenya and Sindarin names” … this in itself is evidence of J.R.R’s undeniable genius.

Silmarillion by Tolkien simply Special.

$60.00

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The Elements of Dowsing – Henry de France

Anyone interested in the extraordinary skill of dowsing, to discover water of valuable minerals, should read this efficient go to book by Le Vicomte Henry de France. This English edition translated by A.H. Bell and published by G Bell, London in 1967.

We learn that the author was a leading expert in the field who unfortunately packed his clogs before it was published.

Octavo, 84 pages with the occasional appropriate sketch or diagram. Ownership name marked out on free end paper … otherwise a fine copy in a very good dust jacket.

Set out in nine chapters we start with the “History of the Art of Dowsing” and then the instruments – the Pendulum and the Rod. This leads to the Technique and Dowsing for Water and Minerals and Metals – enough to get any budding geologist interested. More advanced applications and an introduction to Radiesthesia … in cooking, medical applications and agriculture (some serious money saving ideas for the farmer with time to study and experiment).

Ever since we saw Jimmy on Opal Hunters get his dowsing rod out we have been hooked.

Understand and learn the science of dowsing – better than any University degree.

$40.00

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The Chairman’s Guide and Secretary’s Companion – New edition Revised by Frank Shackleton.

Published by Ward, Lock & Co, London and Melbourne – a popular help book this edition 1957.

Octavo, 132 pages, a fine copy, unmarked except for a large tick on the page “Duties of the Chairman” obviously reflecting the agreement of some pinstriped owner.

Modern reporting, views and means of communication may make some of this obsolete you may think. NO SO. Such elements as tenure; impartiality; dilatory motions; defamatory statements; toasts; relationship with Press; status; disorderly conduct etc all seems, in Voyager’s mind, stuff needing some consideration of late.

A final Chapter on “Typical Speeches” could improve things especially at a Social Dinner, A Bazaar or indeed a Popular Lecture.

Enlighten and educate your Boardly Friends – what better gift.

$25.00

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The Silence Calling – Australians in Antarctica 1947-97 – The ANARE Jubilee History – Tim Bowden – Signed First Edition

A substantial book published by Allen & Unwin in 1997. Signed and dated by the author on the title likely at the official book launch given the date.

Quarto, 593 pages, illustrated throughout. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. A heavy book that may require a significant Overseas supplement.

ANARE started with the planting of a flag at Atlas Cove on Heard Island on Boxing Day 1947. It was down to Tim Bowden to write this superior record of what was to come. It took him four years – just as well he started early!

A straight forward Forward by the great Phillip Law leads into other useful preliminaries (including a healthy listing of acronyms which litter Antarctic going on) before a chronological history taking us from the Beginning at Heard then Macquarie and the push further south. To the exploration era (1954-1966) and “filling in the map”. Some difficult times for ANARE in the late sixties and seventies before a change to its modern progressive format. The final pages list Wintering Expeditioners; Medal Winners and Voyage Leaders. Useful obligatory bibliography.

Bowden’s even bigger work on the Australian’s in Antarctica – Signed nicely.

$60.00

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All products

Adam in Plumes [New Guinea] – Colin Simpson.

The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Elements of Dowsing – Henry de France

The Chairman’s Guide and Secretary’s Companion – New edition Revised by Frank Shackleton.

The Silence Calling – Australians in Antarctica 1947-97 – The ANARE Jubilee History – Tim Bowden – Signed First Edition

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