South America

Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator [Ecuador] – Edward Whymper -1892

Travels and exploration in Ecuador – a classic.

Published by John Murray, London. A second printing, same year as the first, of a special book by the great mountaineer, Edward Whymper.

Large thick octavo, 456 pages. Nicely illustrated and with three maps, one folding and very large (85cm x 59cm) folding map in rear pocket. Original cloth covered binding with embellished gilt rule and lettering on front and spine, blind embossed in similar fashion on rear. Showing a little age, as usual, some scattered foxing near ends, otherwise a lovely clean copy. A heavy book which will require an Overseas postage supplement.

The classic South American Mountaineering book, Whymper climbing Cotopaxi and Chimborazo among others. Broader writing includes the natural history and geology of the Andes.

Essential reading for climbers and South American devotee.

Edward Whymper – nothing held him back

$140.00

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Byron’s Journal of His Circumnavigation 1764-1766 – Edited by Robert E. Gallagher

Another well produced piece of work put out by the Hakluyt Society.

John Byron of Wager fame (the poets Grandfather and Voyager hero) has come in for some criticism regarding his circumnavigation of 1764-1776. Hard to understand considering he is in the all time top 20.

Sent by the Admiralty to search for Pepys’s Island and the Southern Continent and then around in the Pacific north to find the “other end” of the North West passage. He re-discovered the Falkland Islands (but was beaten by Bougainville) and when in the Pacific decided for his own reasons (quite valid) to go in a more direct route and all around back to Blighty.

His journal is at the mecca of all journals marine, the National Maritime Museum, London. And, here it is published with super supporting items by editor Robert Gallagher. Much about the giants of Patagonia.

Printed by the Cambridge University Press for the Hakluyt Society in 1964. Octavo, 230 pages with numerous illustrations and maps and charts many folding or multiple folding. A particularly good thoroughly clean copy.

John Byron first the Wager then the Circumnavigation on of the greatest naval heroes of the 18th C.

$50.00

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The Early Maps of Colombia up to 1850 – Kit S. Kapp

The Map Collectors’ Circle publication No 77 by Captain Kit S Kapp published in 1971. Very good condition. T.M. Perry, Australian map expert’s stamp to front cover.

170 maps identified over 32 pages plus 10 full page plates of prime examples. Very good condition.

Colombia a country of contrasts, snow-capped mountains, fertile plains and exotic jungles. First colonised by the Spanish in 1538. The subsequent successful looting of Cartagena by Sir Francis Drake created further interest in the region and the mapping thereof. See if you can spot “El Dorado … the Golden One”

Captain Kit passed away a few years back … he was a much loved member of the map community and a friend of Mick Tooley’s

Colombia … the original gold maps

$25.00

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The Kon-Tiki Expedition – Thor Heyerdahl (With Original Photograph of the Raft)

Well certainly not a rare book, probably the biggest selling modern maritime adventure book. But a very good copy.

A 1959 edition by which time it had already run to 23 impressions. Octavo, 235 pages with eighty odd photographic images.

Thor Heyerdahl set off on the most amazing raft voyage with five companions determined to prove his migration theories. This account, praised by Somerset Maugham as “an incredible adventure which happens to be true. It would be a very dull reader who did not admire and envy the courage of the six men who took part in it”. Very good copy.

We also have what appears to be an original photograph of the raft on its way … the camera work is rather shaky so clearly taken from another vessel.

Leaving Callao in Peru for Tahiti, they almost made it running aground on the Raroia Reef were the raft was smashed to smithereens.

Kon-Tiki nice copy with photograph.

$30.00

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Children of Cape Horn – Rosie Swale

First edition of Rosie Swales very readable account of one of the greatest “family” voyages of all time.

Published by Paul Elek, London in 1974. Octavo, 242 pages, illustrated with end paper maps, images from voyage photographs and diagrams in the text.

An 18 month voyage leaving Gibraltar on 19th December 1971 … across to Barbados and through the Panama Canal and a course across the Pacific via the glorious Pacific Islands route to Sydney. Back along the roaring forties and around the Horn and on up and up to Plymouth arriving 1st July 1973. Lots of adventure, some danger and frivolity along the way.

Talented Rosie and Colin Swale – proper sailing with family in tow.

$25.00

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Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

The great Anson circumnavigation of the mid-18th century to basically steal as much Spanish gold – as possible (successful in that regard). This book based on the papers of Captain Saumarez and an essential part of the incredible story that makes up this historic adventure.

Based on the original papers of Captain Philip Saumarez on Board HMS Centurion, Lord Anson’s flagship during his circumnavigation 1740-44.

The four Saumarez logs have not been previously published or referenced. They had been lost for year until found in the 1960’s in a cardboard box along with letter and other documents at the Saumerez manor in the Channel Islands.

Published by Macmillan, New York a first edition 1974.Large octavo, 264 pages, world map end papers showing the track of the fleet, numerous illustrations from original works, some in colour. A very good copy.

While Great Britain was at war with Spain in 1740, Commodore George Anson led a Squadron of eight ships on a mission to harass the Spaniards on the west coast of South America and cut off their supplies of wealth from the Pacific.

“Returning to England in 1744 by way of China and thus completing a circumnavigation, the voyage was notable for the capture of the gold laden Acapulco Galleon but also for the loss of all ships except Anson’s Centurion and horrific losses to disease with only 300 of the original 900 surviving.

Anson’s voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to Englishmen of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which restored national pride after an unsuccessful war against the Spaniards.”

Saumerez another perspective on Anson

$40.00

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Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator [Ecuador] – Edward Whymper -1892

Byron’s Journal of His Circumnavigation 1764-1766 – Edited by Robert E. Gallagher

The Early Maps of Colombia up to 1850 – Kit S. Kapp

The Kon-Tiki Expedition – Thor Heyerdahl (With Original Photograph of the Raft)

Children of Cape Horn – Rosie Swale

Log of the Centurion – The Anson Voyage – The Log of Saumarez – Leo Heaps

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