Maritime

Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

There were two printings of this work by Argonaut Press London this is the upmarket edition spine vellum bound.

Published in 1931, printed by Morrison of Edinburgh, quarto, xxxvii, 376 pages. Printed on fine Japon vellum paper. Wine-red cloth bound with gilt device to front, true vellum spine with gilt titling. Limited to 975 copies. Woodcut on title by William Monk. Folding maps all present. A very good copy of a desirable Dampier. What looks like toning on the map is just our scanner on the polished japon paper … it’s as clean as a whistle.

With a long introduction and notes by Dampier expert Clennell Wilkinson. In our view this introduction is what sets this lovely book apart from the numerous facsimiles even those of fine printed quality.

Wilkinson explains the rather odd order of Dampier’s recollections … as they are not chronological but likely driven by the need to get paid in-between various adventurous explorations. Some early Dampier in Central America where he had to roll his sleeves up – and also his diaries. At one time in desperation whilst lost in Central American rain forests Dampier had to swim several raging creeks. To protect his diaries he used a sealed bamboo tube in which the rolled up diaries travelled. He was making notes early in life a habit he kept going until near the end. Piracy was soon his trade and then on to fame and sponsored explorer. Whilst back in England he mixed with the rich la-di-da and was sought after for upper crust social gatherings. Jonathan Swift likely knew him maybe not quite as the cousin he suggests of Gulliver. Swift was some fifteen years younger and would have read Dampier’s words which provided the inspiration for the settings of the “Travels

Sorry rambling – specifically, Part I Voyage to Achin, Malacca and Tonquin; Voyage to Tenan and a journey inland to Cachoa; After Tonquin – Cambodia and Bencouli then Achin in detail. Part II – Voyage to Campeachy, Jucatan, Alcranes and the Island of Pines. Various adventurous activities – Indians etc. Part II The [famous] Discourse of Winds, Storms, Seasons, Tides and Currents etc. Maps of the Streights of Malacca; Bay of Campechy; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the Atlantik and Indian Oceans; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the great South Ocean.

William Dampier if only he was alive today.

$130.00

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United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

Published by the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington VA.

Largish softcover, 70 pages. A manual on how to do things in the colder climates. Interspersed with historical information which provides perspective and readability.

Starts with a section on the first US expedition sealers and then the industrious Nathaniel Palmer in the 47 foot sloop Hero.

Usual chapters on preparations, safety, health, travel to and from etc. More interesting chapters on Conservation, the Stations and Vessels, Handling Cores etc Sanctuaries …

Very interesting section detailing the Historic Monuments – 60 in all and a summary of the Treaty which we should all understand before the day of reckoning – not too far away.

Is there a Polar Explorer /Historian in you – be prepared and informed!

$40.00

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The Springs of Adventure – Wilfred Noyce

A first edition published by John Murray, London in 1958.

A super book about adventure by the definition of adventurer Wilfred Noyce.

Octavo, 240 pages, illustrated from photographs. Chipped dust jacket and page edges a bit foxed otherwise a very serviceable copy.

Noyce was a Cambridge Graduate and Master at Charterhouse. In WWII he was in Nepal and found time to climb a couple of very high mountains. Later he would be in the South Col party about which he would write another book. Here he mixes his exploits with those of other under the true adventure label … that and his talent for writing makes for good reading.

Wilfred Noyce about true adventure including his own

$25.00

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Isambard Kingdom Brunel [The Great 19thC Engineer] – L.T.C. Rolt

A first edition published by Longmans, London in 1958.

Probably the best book about IKB surely the greatest engineer of the 19th Century and keeping all things relative perhaps the greatest ever.

Large octavo, 345, illustrated throughout. A little age an a hint of “parfum de library” … otherwise a nice copy.

A weighty biography which deals with every aspect of his engineering prowess … his bridges, tunnels, Great Western Railways and the monstrous stem ships that broke the mould in design and scale …

This book has obviously been owned by an admirer of the great man. An image of IKB has been carefully manicured and pasted opposite the preface and many ephemeral items have been placed in strategic spots throughout. We have left them there as it give the book a unique character which we do not wish to spoil.

Brunel – Engineering Design came naturally to him.

$40.00

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Australian Antarctic Science – The First Fifty Years of ANARE – Marchant, Lugg and Quilty

Published in 2002 by the Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania. Large octavo, 622 pages after preliminaries. Illustrated boards (never had a dust jacket). A substantial quality production. A fine copy – heavy book probably not suitable for Overseas postage alone.

Edited by Harvey Marchant (leader of the Biology program), Desmond Lugg (Chief, Medicine of Extreme Environments at NASA) and Patrick Quilty (Retired Chief Scientist).

A wealth of knowledge brought together and condensed into a fine work on the Antarctic.

Born out of the 1997 Jubilee Science Symposium the work begins with an address from the Governor of Tasmania.

The scope and process of developing research programs is reviewed and the then stimulus of new technologies. An exciting lengthy chapter on Cosmic-ray physics and astronomy. Antarctic operational metrology by Neil Streten and the automatic weather stations.

Our favourite, the History of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Continental Shelf followed by its companion the Geological Evolution of the East Antarctic Shield. Terrestrial biology, aquatic microbiology …. Krill, fish, birds and mammals. And the physics of the atmosphere, climate and other environmental issues.

The whole well illustrated with charts, diagrams and images and as expected cross referenced to wealth of published research.

ANARE a lasting scientific record.

$80.00

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Tasmania’s Strange Story – 1929

A history of Tasmania published under the auspices of the “Come to Tasmania” Organisation by Lelsie Norman Sec.

Soft cover, 100 pages, losses at front edge and across spine, otherwise a good copy of a fragile item approaching 100 years old.

Stacked with period advertisements at front and back. We particularly like to see the Springs Hotel up Mt wellington, which burned down in the big fire; Beattie’s photography studio, and lots of beer and chocolates.

The history is a good one and when it comes to the bad treatment of the aboriginals does not from excuses and is pretty sympathetic with their plight.

We like this one …

Interesting History of Tasmania – succinct but fairly full and frank.

$30.00

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Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

United States Antarctic Program – Personnel Manual – 1994 edition

The Springs of Adventure – Wilfred Noyce

Isambard Kingdom Brunel [The Great 19thC Engineer] – L.T.C. Rolt

Australian Antarctic Science – The First Fifty Years of ANARE – Marchant, Lugg and Quilty

Tasmania’s Strange Story – 1929

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