Exploration

The Contented Botanist – Sophie Ducker

Published in 1988 by Melbourne University at the Miegunyah Press and produced to their usual exceptional standard. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

Unusual and important work. William Harvey (1811-1886) was one of the great Victorian Botanist. He travelled the Pacific and produced and book on Australian flora Phycologia Australica. He knew Hooker and Professor Asa Gray and corresponded with them. His visits to Australia included meeting the convicts at Port Arthur. This work based on his letters and paper unearthed at the Harvard University herbarium is brilliantly put together by the exceptional Sophie Ducker.

Important records found and presented

$40.00

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The Discovery of Tasmania – Duyker(s) and Herman

Another Duyker and Duyker piece with the assistance of Edward Herman translating and interpreting relevant extracts from Tasman and Dufresne’s journals.

Published in Hobart in 1992 never had a dust jacket. In near fine condition.

A very worthy contribution and a must for early discovery historians. Illustrated, with maps and plates and with the text in Dutch and French at the rear. Substantial referencing to other records of interest.

Great content Dutch/French Tasmania

$50.00

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Whaling Voyages in the Pacific (1823-1829) – The Dalton Journal – Edited by Niel Gunson

Published National Library of Australia, 1990. First Edition, 140 pages with illustrations and bibliography. Original maroon cloth with title lettered in gilt on spine and front board, inlay of scrimshaw on front board, a fine copy. No dust jacket as issued.

A rare British account of whaling activities in the South Seas (1823-1829), a field dominated by American journals. Provides an eyewitness account of the death of Captain James Cook recalled by a group of elderly Hawaiians. Records the discoveries of Phoenix Island and Canton Island, the new light on the opening up of the Pacific to missionary activity and European settlement.

More than Whaling in this fine journal

$40.00

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In the Land of Pearl and Gold – Alexander MacDonald – First Edition 1907

First edition 1907. A Pioneer’s wanderings in the backblocks and Pearling grounds of Australia and New Guinea.

A nice copy with the striking front board illustration. Prospecting, mining and travel experiences in and around Australia with an excursion into New Guinea.

Good collectable relevant with nice illustrations

$120.00

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A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Meek (1871-1943) was born into a Natural History family. Before he was twenty he was at Coomooboolaroo Station in Queensland collecting for the great Lionel Rothschild for his zoo at Tring. He then travelled New Guinea and the Solomons for both Tring and the Natural History Museum. This is a second impression in very good condition.

This is the book on his travels. Amongst his great finds were the holotyoe and paratype of the Woodlark venomous snake, rare there are still only twelve specimens known. In 1906 he discovered (and shot) the first specimen of the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly … the largest in the world.

Many species are named after him … a crested pigeon, lorikeet, pygmy-parrot, crow, dwarf kingfisher etc and several butterflies and moths.

Meek a fearless Natural Historian who made his mark in New Guinea and the Solomons

$160.00

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Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Extremely rare London First 1923. Very good condition bar some occasional foxing. Bright and tight boards as published.

W.R. (Dickie) Humphries arrived in Papua in 1917 and took over an ambitious patrolling plan under the guidance of Hubert Murray. This excellent book records in detail a number of exploratory expeditions. Taking in Nepa, Tiveris, Kerma and Christmas on the Lakekamu, the Kukukukus and their raids on Nepa. Off into the unknown … ascending Mount Chapman and to the valley at Kwolum, friendly natives (rare) at Biaru and gigantic cigars. Ascending Mount Waria and a close shave. At Dunai-ia strange graves and thumb nails and to Boli, Nele and Morobe before turning back to Kokoda. Nicely illustrated with unique with over 40 photographic images. In 1924 Humphries escorted Frank Hurley on his famous photographic expedition into the Mount Yule area.

Scarce as they get patrolling expeditions immediately post WWI

$190.00

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The Contented Botanist – Sophie Ducker

The Discovery of Tasmania – Duyker(s) and Herman

Whaling Voyages in the Pacific (1823-1829) – The Dalton Journal – Edited by Niel Gunson

In the Land of Pearl and Gold – Alexander MacDonald – First Edition 1907

A Naturalist in Cannibal Land – 1913 – Arthur Stewart Meek

Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

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