South America

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner”

Originally published in 1926 this classic sailing account is reprinted here by the Macdonald Maritime History Series, London in 1974.

Octavo, 186 pages, top edge blue, with images from photographs, charts, diagrams and embellishments as per the original. End paper maps. Bound in quarter morocco, gilt line and blue sailing ship motif clothe covered boards. Dust jacket torn to top, and tape mended. A paper wave at the bottom as if it has stood onboard for a time but nothing offensive.

The author Vernon Briggs was only sixteen at the time he left Boston for Honolulu. His observations and penmanship mature well beyond his years. Part journal part narrative Briggs learns sea skills fast and is also a keen observer of his surroundings and the abundance of natural history along the way … including the Amy Turner cockroaches!

Prized narrative onboard the Amy Turner.

$25.00

Updating cart…

South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

An original hand coloured engraving using the stipple technique published as part of the “Dictionniare des Sciences Naturelles” by Dumont de Saint-Croix published in Paris c1820’s. Engraved by Stranhi after an image by Pretre.

At the time the Aguti (Agouti) and Paca were thought to be of the same family group … not so now .. they have different toe arrangements etc.

They are however, both herbivorous rodents and among the largest in the world.

The Paca can achieve a weight of 14kg on a good diet and is the more attractive with its sides patterned with spots and stripes. There are two distinct types … the lowland variety cab be found all the way from Northern Argentina to Mexico. A smaller Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Paramo grasslands.

The Agouti is generally a smaller animal weighing in around 4 kgs. They are pretty shy compared with the Paca and pretty scared of humanoids. They prevail over much of the middle and north of South America and in the West Indies.

Price $160.00 framed in Voyager Natural History style ….

South American Rodents – rather cute – and large

$160.00

Updating cart…

Journal of a Voyage to the South-Seas [One of the Anson’s Voyage Cornerstone Books} – Pascoe Thomas

This is a great example of the Israel Facsimile Voyages published in Amsterdam in 1971. The original account from which this faithful copy was made was published by Birt, Newbery et al London in 1745.

Octavo, Following a Preface and a very lengthy list of subscribers, 347 pages plus various very useful appendices. Fine condition.

Pascoe Thomas described himself a “teacher of the Mathematicks on board the Centurion”.

The Title Page contain a nice precis of the volume … “A True and Impartial Journal of a Voyage to the South-Seas, and Round the Globe, in His Majesty’s Ship the Centurion, Under the Command of Commodore George Anson. WHERINH … All the material Incidents during the said Voyage, from its Commencement in 1770 to the Conclusion in 1744, are fully and faithfully related, having been committed to Paper at the Time they happen’d. Together with some historical Accounts of Chili, Peru, Mexico, and the Empire of China; exact Descriptions of such Places of Note as were touch’d at; and Variety of occasional Remarks. To which is added … A large and general Table of Longitudes and Latitudes, ascertain’d from accurate Observations, or (where these are wanting) from the best printed Books and Manuscripts taken from the Spaniards in this Expedition: Also the Variations of the Compass throughout the Voyage, and the Soundings and depths of water along the different Coasts: And lastly, several curious Observations on a Comet seen in the South-Seas on the Coast of Mexico.

So there we have it … except we also have an appendix which tabulates the massive amounts of gold Anson accumulated from his exploits. This is the only account of the voyage to contain that detail.

Pascoe Thomas .. completes the Anson story

$80.00

Updating cart...

My Old Man and the Sea [Cape Horn] – David and Daniel Hays

Published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, North Carolina a first edition 1995. Unusually printed in Australia by the Australian Print Group.

Slim Octavo, nice production with a number of special charts and diagrams of the boat design etc .. no photographs … must have forgotten the camera. Very good if not fine condition.

A very nicely put together record of a father and sons voyage from New London, Connecticut through the Panama, down around the Horn and home. Oh … and with the Galapagos and Easter Island on the way.

David and Daniel Hayes not only sailed together but they built together the 25 foot Sparrow which was to look after them all the way.

A very good account and some excellent technical content.

Strap yourself in for the Horn with Hays and Hays

$25.00

Updating cart…

Two Against Cape Horn – Hal Roth

Published by Stanford Maritime, London a first English edition 1979. Octavo, 288 pages well illustrated with photographs and great charts supporting the exciting narrative. Very good near fine condition.

A quite remarkable book by the adventurous Hal Roth. With his wife Margaret they he had already completed a Pacific voyage that won them the Blue water medal of the Cruising Club of America.

Having purchased the “Whisper” they decided to Round the Horn but not before a most interesting sailing experience through the vast archipelago of islands to the north of the Cape.

The book is enhanced by references to great historic voyages through these channels. Including HMS Darwin on Beagle and before that Lord Anson and his fleet and the loss of the Wager.

Unfortunately, within striking distance of the Cape the Whisper is forced aground and damaged. Surprisingly, help is nearby, they are found and the boat repaired and they finally succeed with their objective.

A special book about the Horn and much more plus historical perspective

$30.00

Updating cart…

The Blind Horn’s Hate (Cape Horn & the Utmost South) – Richard Hough

Published by Hutchinson’s, London in 1971 a first edition. Octavo, 336 pages, packed with illustrations and charts and with endpaper maps. Vary good condition, top edge stained green as issued. Good dust jacket.

Richard Hough’s book does more than any other to educate the reader on maritime history and the geography of the complex channels of Tierra del Fuego. Drake, Magellan etc as you would expect but also Anson, Byron etc and the loss of the Wager and the mutinous circumstances following … a Voyager classic. And the Darwin and the fate of the natives.

The title references Rudyard Kipling’s … The Long Trail … “It’s north you may run to the rime-ringed sun, or south to the blind horn’s hate …”

Avoid the Horn and through the Channels

$25.00

Updating cart…

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

South American Aguti and Paca – 1820

Journal of a Voyage to the South-Seas [One of the Anson’s Voyage Cornerstone Books} – Pascoe Thomas

My Old Man and the Sea [Cape Horn] – David and Daniel Hays

Two Against Cape Horn – Hal Roth

The Blind Horn’s Hate (Cape Horn & the Utmost South) – Richard Hough

Product Categories