Prestige Items

Tasmanian Classic – A Hundred Years of Yachting – Webster and Norman – First Edition 1936

A very good copy of this prized first edition. Published by the Hobart Marine Board and City Council in 1936.

Large format octavo (24.4cm x 16.5cm), 256 pages, illustrated throughout. Colour illustration and title to front board.

The hundred years references the first Hobart Regatta held in December 1838, so they jumped the starting gun a little. We will excuse them for that as it is a fabulous record of the love of yachting on the Derwent.

Perhaps Hobart’s most important yachting collectable in ship shape condition.

$280.00

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Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

A first edition of this full on voyage and travel account by the articulate James Prior. Published by Sir Richard Phillips & Co, London in 1819.

A lovely internal copy rebound in grey/green paper covered boards, as was typical of a primary binding of the true period, gilt on red leather title to spine. Octavo, 114 pages with special three fold map dated 1810 drawn by W M Cobb RN, also printed by Phillips. Another folding chart of the Harbour at Mozambique (note the different spelling) and a striking engraved view of the Town and Fort at Mozambique.

Well we have to be careful as this book is right in Voyager’s sweet spot. The narrative content is far fuller physically than the 114 pages suggest. First simply due to the format and the lines and words set per page, but also because Prior’s writing style is honed and full of interesting detail – no padding.

The long title gives you an idea of the coverage. Voyager’s favourite island, St Helena, is tackled well and one gets a great idea of the first impression on approach and the manner and detail of James Town and the various Plantation houses up “Ladder Hill” … “Ruperts Hill” etc.

Not in the title we also learn about the Comoro Islands … out from Mozambique and north west of Madagascar … this group of four ex volcanic islands probably the most beautiful place in the World. The Comoro islands was the primary reason behind the voyage as the King of Comoro had sought help against “predatory expeditions” of several thousand warriors from Madagascar. War was not the solution conferences were held – we can learn from that.

Good content on Rio and Brazil so don’t be confused by the lead in to the title …

Taking you back to the beginning and Prior has arrived at Cape Town where of all things he is off to the races … “the course is on Green Point, on the verge of the Bay: it was attended my multitudes, some in handsome vehicles … filled with females of every age, class and complexion. A dinner to the members concluded the meeting, followed of course by a ball … and the amusements of the week finished, on Saturday, with a private race, a cock-fight, the execution of several malefactors near the ground, and a dual between two gentlemen holding official situations, nearly fatal; so that we could not complain of want of variety”

We had to show you this even though it is not typical of the narrative – different times!

Interesting early 19thC Voyage from east Africa to Brazil

$390.00

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Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

This is the deluxe edition by Genesis Publications in association with Hedley Australia printed in 1986. Originally published with another work here presented alone. Quarter leather bound with gilt Flinders to front, impressed title to spine which has faux raised bands, all page edges richly gilt … a quality expected from Genesis.

Fine condition. A heavy book unsuitable for Overseas purchase.

Folio, 365 pages of facsimile and useful index at the end … Geoffrey Ingleton’s useful introductory note helps one in to the manuscript. This is Flinders in Mauritius incarcerated by the French on his way black to England to complete his charts and publication which was to change the name of the lucky continent to Australia. Flinders hand surprisingly readable which is what makes for a good facsimile manuscript … still needs a little patience and the index helps you around

We say incarcerated, and he did have his freedom removed, but he had an easy time of it .. albeit rather lengthy and annoying.

Flinders in Mauritius beautifully presented.

$220.00

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A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway True First Edition -1964 – Predates American Edition by one day

First edition published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1964. Octavo, 192 pages with the stunning wrap around dust jacket designed by Hans Tisdall. The font Tisdall invented for this purpose carries his name.

Very good condition with minor mark to front of jacket, otherwise very clean and no dust jacket nibbles. Terrific internally.

Written by Hemingway in his final days before he took his life so tragically. The draft was in his bedroom and published posthumously.

Tells of Hemingway’s early years in Paris with his young bride (1921-1926) and the people (what people) he associated with … Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Wyndham Lewis, James Joyce, Scott Fitzgerald … do we need to go on?

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast”.

Scarce Collectable delightful Hemingway – First Edition

$160.00

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19thC French Heraldry – Nouveau Manuel Complet Du Blason ou Code Heraldique – Pautet – 1854 – Special Fine Leather Binding from the Library of The Convent of the Birds – Notre Dame

Published in 1854, a new edition, small thick octavo, 340 pages and ten extraordinary multiple folding plates.

Bound in rich crimson leather, raised bands to spine with five compartments, separate title label, gilt decorations to other compartments and authors name at top and even more discrete perhaps the binders name at bottom. Front and back boards panelled in gilt with decorations and heraldic shield to front, page edges richly gilt.

Carries the unusual and large bookplate of the “Maison des Oiseux” which shows two kneeling angels adoring flaming hearts, one pierced by a dagger the other crown of thorns …engraved by Chezoud of Rue de la Verrerie No55, Paris.

Long regarded as a fine book on Heraldry and French Coat of Arms this book is “made” by its impressive engravings – and this copy in a binding to die for.

Heraldry French style dressed to impress for the Convent of the Birds

$180.00

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A Season in Hell – Arthur Rimbaud – special edition – c1930

With and introduction by George Frederick Lees. No date but circa 1930.

Small octavo, 78 pages, dust jacket shelf worn, chipped edges, fading to spine. Title page printed in red and black, limited to 600 copies. Previous ownership details on free end paper, still a pretty good copy of a sought after Rimbaud translation.

Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) a unique poet and writer, often described as the ‘Father” of modern poetry. This was his masterpiece. A long prose poem recording his spiritual revolt and struggle. Originally published in 1873.

If you are not familiar with Rimbaud, then you should get to know him. How could someone experience so much so early in life? Set out in nine parts of varying length differing markedly in tone and ease of understanding. Persevere though as here we have a sure piece of genius. At the time of writing Rimbaud had been through a tempestuous homosexual relationship with poet Paul Verlaine. Ending the relationship Verlaine shot Rimbaud and was imprisoned. Rimbaud went to London and took to opium and gin … returning to France to finish and publish A Season in Hell. He never wrote again after the age of twenty years. He then became a merchant and explorer overseas and sadly died of cancer at the age of 37.

Arthur Rimbaud’s Hell – such an influence

$60.00

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Tasmanian Classic – A Hundred Years of Yachting – Webster and Norman – First Edition 1936

Voyage along the Eastern Coast of Africa to Mosambique, Johanna, and Quiloa; to St Helena; to Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil, in the Nisus Frigate – James Prior RN – 1819

Matthew Flinders Private journal 1803-1814 – the Mitchell Library Manuscript

A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway True First Edition -1964 – Predates American Edition by one day

19thC French Heraldry – Nouveau Manuel Complet Du Blason ou Code Heraldique – Pautet – 1854 – Special Fine Leather Binding from the Library of The Convent of the Birds – Notre Dame

A Season in Hell – Arthur Rimbaud – special edition – c1930

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