North America

The Life of John Ledyard the American Traveller; comprising Selections from His Journals and Correspondence. – Jared Sparks – First edition 1828

First edition of this scarce work published by Henry Colburn, London in 1828.

Octavo, 428 pages, bound in green cloth binding with gilt titles and library call no to spine. New ends but front free endpaper retained – manuscript ownership note George Stokes, Hean Castle – August 31, 1842. Despite the binding the interior is as clean and crisp, the odd spot but really very good if not better.

America’s first true explorer who was with James Cook on his third fateful voyage to the Pacific, Northwest Coast of America, Alaska and Hawaii. Ledyard subsequently attempted to reach America by traversing Russia. He died whilst exploring the Nile.

Ledyard did not publish during is foreshortened life. After his death, his journals and papers and other materials were collected by his relative Dr Isaac Ledyard. That was a far as he got, and it was down to Jared Sparks to edit and arrange the narrative for publication. Little is changed in the journals etc the words are those of the traveller explorer.

Over fifty pages are devoted to Cook’s voyage. Of particular interest is that Ledyard was in the landing party with Cook at Kearakekua [Kealakekua] Bay, Hawaii “and was near his person’ when Cook was slain. His narrative of the events and his views on Cook’s approach to the encounter with the natives are unique. Many other interesting elements … such as organising a party to climb Hawaii’s highest mountain (near 14,000 feet) Mouna Roa … give a clue to the explorer he became.

His travels in Siberia were extensive, completing some lengthy stretches by canoe … eventually politics and confusion came into play, and he was arrested by order of the Empress Catherine the Great. He survived … but not the Nile … the plans for which he part formulated with Joseph Banks in London. He died in Cairo after having taken too much vitriolic (sulphuric) acid seemingly to deal with heartburn!

Ledyard’s Travels Important Cook Content and More

$390.00

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Hemingway – High on the Wild – Lloyd Arnold

A 1977 edition of this table book relating to Hemingway’s time and family in the mountains of his beloved Idaho. Hemingway as we all know had a penchant for Cuba, Spain, Paris, Africa [the hunt] but it was the snowy winters of Idaho that he kept going back to.

Lloyd Arnold as a friend and this book was sponsored by Hemingway’s son … it contains many images of the great man with friends and family and the odd partridge. They all look very happy and rustic – even those with Cary Grant. It makes us feel better about what would become a troubled life.

Published by Grosset & Dunlap, quarto, 163 pages, heavily illustrated from original photographs. A little fixed to page edges otherwise a good copy.

Hemingway Happy in the Mountains.

$25.00

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The Struggle For Sea Power- A Naval History of American Independence – Sam Willis

A substantial piece of work by Wills on this important naval period for all involved.

Published by Atlantic Books, London in 2015. Thick Royal octavo, 573 pages, heavily illustrated including important charts. Fine condition – hard to find in Australia.

The American Revolution was a naval war of immense scope and variety – engagements took place on five ocean – involving the Americans, British, French, Spanish, Dutch and the Russians …

All about the War of Independence at sea.

$50.00

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A Strange Career – The Life and Adventures of J. G. Jebb [South America and Mexico] – 1895

John Gladwyn Jebb led as an adventurous life as could be possible. This book was compiled by his widow and carries the introduction of none other than possibly the greatest adventure writer H Rider Haggard.

English born Jebb’s adventures began as a military man in India. Soon he was conducting privately funded explorations into Central and Southern America. Involved in numerous business dealings… helped to start White Line … was in involved in armaments. He moved to the US and the Wild West … bear hunting, gold mining and a few conflicts with local bandits and Indians. Off to Mexico to make his fortune gold mining (made it and lost it) and much of the later part of the books is about his times in Mexico padded a bit with history of the region.

Published by Blackwood, Edinburgh in 1895 octavo, 271 pages, frontispiece of the great man, illustrated by John Wallce. Pictorial boards nice but a little rubbed especially at the tips. Overall, still a particularly good copy of a rather hard to find book.

Inspiration for Rider Haggard – John Jebb Adventurer

$50.00

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Map Collectors’ Circle – The American Colonies – Bickham – by D Schrire

This is No 27 of the Map Collectors Circle published in 1966. Its proper title is Bickham’s Birds Eye County Views and the British Monarchy, including the North American Supplement, in full reproduction.

It is Bickham’s beautifully executed work … “A Short Description of the American Colonies belonging to the Crown of Great Britain Engraved by George Bickham Snr, London published according to an Act of Parliament 19 Dec 1747” that dominates and makes this issue – hence our corrupted Voyager title.

Usual Original light peach coloured card covers, 42 pages, numerous illustrations and the aforesaid reproduction.

A reminder of the past for those that care or cope.

American Interest – Bickham in 1747

$25.00

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Spring on an Antarctic Island (Bylot Island) – Katherine Scherman

First edition published by Victor Gollancz, London in 1956. The author and a group of naturalists and scientists visit remote Bylot Island, north of Baffin Island well within the Arctic Circle.

Octavo, 329 pages, end paper maps, illustrated from photographs taken on the expedition. A small chip top of dust jacket, otherwise a fine copy.

The party flew by light aircraft to Pond Inlet a remote Hudson Bay Company outpost on the northern shores of Baffin Island. Some explorations in the locale and then off further north to Bylot with Eskimo guide Idlouk. They set up camp near the Aktineg glacier. Bylot sparsely populated with a few friendly Eskimo group is a cold mountainous place with its own unique flora and fauna. Image the Arctic Willow which last eight years but never gets higher than five inches.

Bylot a unique environment – an authentic account.

$35.00

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The Life of John Ledyard the American Traveller; comprising Selections from His Journals and Correspondence. – Jared Sparks – First edition 1828

Hemingway – High on the Wild – Lloyd Arnold

The Struggle For Sea Power- A Naval History of American Independence – Sam Willis

A Strange Career – The Life and Adventures of J. G. Jebb [South America and Mexico] – 1895

Map Collectors’ Circle – The American Colonies – Bickham – by D Schrire

Spring on an Antarctic Island (Bylot Island) – Katherine Scherman

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