Travel and Exploration
Rare Travel and Exploration Books for Sale Online
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Original Blue Prints for Coal Mines
1910 Unique Study of the Engineering and Design of Coal Mines, 19 pp. Blue Prints, Five Original Photographs.
1910.
On 13 x 8.5 inch blueprint sheets, riveted together at top, 19 blue print sheets and 5 mounted and captioned photos. The sheets are surveys of
different collieries and mines, with examples from existing places: Pittston, PA, Georges Creek, MA, long wall mining at the Eileen Mine in Grundy County, IL, conveyor arrangements at Vintondale, PA, longwall at Grande Combe, France, square work at Staffordshire, engineering innovations at Serampore Colliery in Bengal India, longwall at Northumberland, “new method” of longwall mining using a Mickley conveyor (which was first introduced in 1908), Pewabic Mine at Iron Mountain, MI, the Baltic Mine in Baltic, MI, etc. Photos are around 5 x 7 inches, including ‘Conveying filling from culm dump,’ ‘Loading filling onto a conveyor,’ ‘Filling on its way to bore hole,’ ‘Bore hole receiving filling on surface,’ and ‘Pipes entering mine workings from bore hole.’ We found this in Fayette County, PA, bituminous country, and a county were longwalling has been done for over a century, sometimes to devastating effects on the historic houses and water quality in the region (subsidance and other issues are a natural result of longwall mining).Price: $850.00 Item Number: 100759
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First Edition of Burney's Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean
BURNEY, Capt. James.
A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.
London: Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.
Rare first edition of “the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein” (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in full calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, botanical ruling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. Containing 28 engraved maps (15 folding), 13 plates (1 folding), woodcut illustrations throughout text. In near fine condition. Perforated library stamps to the title pages. Rare and desirable, published in a format intended to complement Cook’s Voyages on the library shelf.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117105
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First Edition of John Barrow's Chronological History of Voyages into the Arctic Regions
BARROW, John.
A Chronological History of Voyages into the Arctic Regions; Undertaken Chiefly for the Purpose of Discovering a North-East, North-West or Polar Passage Between the Atlantic and Pacific.
London: John Murray, 1818.
First edition of the prolific author’s detailed account of the history of early voyages to the arctic, from the sixteenth century through 1818 and the voyages of Ross, Kotzebue, Buchan, Parry and Franklin. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, exquisite folding map of the arctic regions, appendix illustrated with engravings. In very good condition.
Price: $550.00 Item Number: 101416
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Rare First Edition of The Brother Andrews' A Daring Voyage, across the Atlantic Ocean; From the library of Adventurer Steve Fossett
ANDREWS, The Brothers.
A Daring Voyage Across the Atlantic Ocean.
New York: E.P. Dutton and Co, 1830.
First edition of this work regarding the crossing of the Atlantic, which the Andrews brothers sailed from Boston to England and then to France in a 20 foot Gloucester dory. Octavo, original gilt decorated cloth, with 12 illustrations. With Introduction and Notes by Dr. Macaulay. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the front free endpaper. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. In very good condition. Uncommon.
Price: $475.00 Item Number: 112432
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FALKNER'S DESCRIPTION OF PATAGONIA, SCARCE 1774 FIRST EDITION, WITH TWO LARGE (30 BY 20 INCHES) FOLDING MAPS
FALKNER, Thomas.
A Description of Patagonia, and the Adjoining Parts of South America…Illustrated with a New Map.
Hereford: Printed by C. Pugh; and sold by T. Lewis, 1774.
First edition of this fascinating 18th-century account of Patagonia and South America, with two important large folding maps by Thomas Kitchin of South America, both measuring approximately 30 by 20 inches. Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine label, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 112546
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Rare first edition of James Wyld's General Atlas Containing Maps illustrating some important periods in Ancient History and distinct Maps of the several Empires, Kingdoms, and States in the World
WYLD, James. Engraved by N.R. Hewitt.
A General Atlas Containing Maps Illustrating Some Important Periods in Ancient History and Distinct Maps of the Several Empires, Kingdoms, and States in the World. From Original Drawings According to the Latest Treaties by J. Wyld: and Engraved by N.R. Hewitt.
London: Printed for John Thomson & Co. for Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, London & John Cumming, Dublin, 1819.
Rare first edition of celebrated cartographer James Wyld (the Elder)’s authoritative world atlas. Quarto, bound in three quarters contemporary calf over marbled boards with original printed paper titular label to the front panel, gilt titles to the spine, engraved frontispiece table of comparative heights of of the principle mountains of the world, engraved calligraphic title page featuring an engraved vignette of Wyld displaying a globe, containing 41 hand-colored numbered maps (including one double-page) engraved by N.R.Hewitt after Wyld, additional table of comparative lengths of principle rivers of the world. The maps include four of the ancient world, three world maps (including a double-page Mercator’s projection map), nineteen maps of European countries, eight maps of Asia, two of Africa, and five related to the Americas each featuring a miniature vignette of the country or area’s most famed palace, city, or attraction. The map of the young United States includes several important historical regions. One of the most unique and scarce features on early maps of the United States is the appearance of Franklinia. Franklinia was formed by settlers in 1784, but it was never recognized by Congress. Eventually it was annexed by North Carolina and later reverted back to Tennessee. This ephemeral state appeared on only a small number of maps into the early part of the 19th century, this being a later example. In near fine condition. Rare and desirable.
Price: $5,200.00 Item Number: 117109
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Rare first edition in English of A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars
EBÜLGÂZÎ BAHADIR HAN, Khan of Khorezm.
A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars. Together With a Description of the Countries They Inhabit.
London: Printed for J. and J. Knapton, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, et. al., 1729-1730.
Rare first edition in English of one of the earliest sources on the Turks, Moguls, and Tartars. Octavos, two volumes. Bound in full polished calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, engraved headpieces and tailpieces, folding map to each volume. From the library of Reginald C.L. Powys-Lybbe with his bookplates to the pastedowns. In very good condition.
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 109632
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Rare Wrapper Edition of A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska
BOYNTON, C.B. and T.B. Mason.
A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources.
Cincinnati : Moore, Wilstach, Keys, 1855.
Rare wrapper-bound issue of the second book on Kansas. Octavo, original wrappers, with a folding map of Nebraska and Kansas by Boynton. The pictorial advertisement for the publisher on the rear wrapper features a picture of the establishment. With “Sixth Thousand!” printed at the top of the front wrapper. In good condition with some wear to the spine and extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case. Rare and desirable.
Price: $1,600.00 Item Number: 76010
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First Edition of Dr. Jeffries A Narrative of Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; Inscribed by Him
JEFFRIES, Doctor John.
A Narrative of Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with Meteorological Observations and Remarks.
London: Printed for the Author and Sold by J. Robson, 1786.
First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on title-page, “Presented to Mrs. Morton by The Author.” Quarto, bound in contemporary three quarters morocco over marbled boards, with engraved frontispiece, portrait and one engraved plate printed in brown. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Also bookplate of Lord Kings Norton, Wooton Underwood, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society. In very good condition, repair to the half-title page, edges darkened.
Price: $8,200.00 Item Number: 111469
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First Edition of Matthew Henson's A Negro Explorer at the North Pole; In exceptional condition
HENSON, Matthew A.
A Negro Explorer at the North Pole.
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co, 1912.
First edition of this landmark work. Octavo, original blue cloth with portrait of Henson to the front panel, frontispiece, 3 double-sided leaves of plates. Foreword by Peary and an introduction by Booker T. Washington. In fine condition. Rare in this condition.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 77028
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Rare First Edition A New and Exact Description of Moscovy
[RUSSIA],.
A New and Exact Description of Moscovy.
London: R. Baldwin, 1698.
First edition of this work. Octavo, bound in modern wrappers, 28 pages. In very good condition with some browning and toning to the text. Rare, with no other examples appearing at auction in the last 80 years.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 112625
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First edition of Robert Campbell's A Pilgrimage to My Motherland: An Account of a Journey Among the Egbas and Yorubas of Central Africa in 1859-60; in the rare original cloth
CAMPBELL, Robert.
A Pilgrimage to My Motherland: An Account of a Journey Among the Egbas and Yorubas of Central Africa in 1859-60.
New York: Thomas Hamilton, 1861.
First edition of Robert Campbell’s account of his journey throughout Central Africa. Octavo, original blind stamped cloth with gilt titles to the spine, complete with the lithographic frontispiece portrait of Campbell with tissue guard, and the original lithographic folding map. In very good condition with light rubbing. Scarce and desirable in the original cloth.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 96234
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"The contemplation of a magnificent structure and of an extensive work are objects exceedingly pleasing to the imagination": John Campbell's A Political Survey of Britain
CAMPBELL, John.
A Political Survey of Britain: Being a Series of Reflections on the Situation, Lands, Inhabitants, Revenues, Colonies, and Commerce of This Island.
Dublin: T. Ewing and C. Jenkin, 1775.
Rare second edition of John Campbell’s classic survey of late sixteenth century Britain. Octavo, four volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, gilt titles. In good condition.
Price: $600.00 Item Number: 81166
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First Edition of the Author’s Comic Masterpiece; Signed by Eric Newby
NEWBY, Eric.
A Short Walk In the Hindu Kush.
New York: Doubleday & Company, 1958.
First American edition of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers. Signed by Eric Newby on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Although not marked this copy is from the library of travel collector, Mary Anna Marten, who was the daughter of the 3rd and last Lord Alington of Crichel and later trustee of The British Museum.
Price: $650.00 Item Number: 3413
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“The world, we are told, was made especially for man — a presumption not supported by all the facts": First Edition of John Muir's A Thousand-Mile Walk To the Gulf; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
MUIR, John.
A Thousand-Mile Walk To the Gulf.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916.
First edition of this work by Muir. Octavo, original green cloth, color pictorial cover label, lettered in white, top edge gilt. Edited with an introduction by William Frederic Badè. Illustrated with several plates from photographs, including a frontispiece portrait with tissue guard; map. Fine in the rare original dust jacket, which is in near fine condition. Uncommon in this condition.
Price: $1,850.00 Item Number: 114781
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“The world, we are told, was made especially for man — a presumption not supported by all the facts": First Edition of John Muir's A Thousand-Mile Walk To the Gulf
MUIR, John.
A Thousand-Mile Walk To the Gulf.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916.
First edition of this work by Muir. Octavo, original green cloth, color pictorial cover label, lettered in white, top edge gilt. Edited with an introduction by William Frederic Badè. Illustrated with several plates from photographs, including a frontispiece portrait with tissue guard; map. In near fine condition with light rubbing. With the original booklet for Muir’s book Travels in Alaska laid in. An exceptional example.
Price: $500.00 Item Number: 100932
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“the feeling of being lost in time and geography with months and years hazily sparkling ahead in a prospect of inconjecturable magic": First Edition of Each Work in Patrick Leigh Fermor's Trilogy; Each Signed by Him
LEIGH FERMOR, Patrick.
A Time of Gifts; Between the Woods and the Water; The Broken Road.
London: John Murray, 1977-2013.
First editions of each volume in Leigh Fermor’s trilogy. Octavo, original cloth. A Time of Gifts and Between the Woods and the Water are signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the title page. The Broken Road, which was published posthumously is signed by editors Colin Thubron and Artemis Cooper on the title page. Jacket artwork by John Craxton. Near fine in excellent dust jackets.
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 86873
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"Paradox reconciles all contradictions": First American Edition of A Time of Gifts; Signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor
LEIGH FERMOR, Patrick.
A Time of Gifts.
New York: Harper & Row, 1977.
First American edition of the author’s masterpiece, which ranks among the greatest travel books of the twentieth century. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket that shows some rubbing to the extremities. Jacket design by Honi Werner.
Price: $975.00 Item Number: 3873
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First Edition of A Time To Keep Silence; Warmly Inscribed by Patrick Leigh Fermor
FERMOR, Patrick Leigh.
A Time To Keep Silence.
London: John Murray, 1957.
First edition of the author’s third book, regarding his experiences in various monasteries. Octavo, original blue cloth. Illustrated by John Craxton. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Mary Anna with love from Paddy 2.6.88.” The recipient was Mary Anna Marten (with her bookplate to the inside gutter), who was the daughter of the 3rd and last Lord Alington of Crichel and later trustee of The British Museum. Near fine in the original dust jacket with a chip to the crown of the spine and overall wear. Jacket design by Peter Todd Mitchell.
Price: $1,150.00 Item Number: 2641
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First Edition of A Time To Keep Silence; Warmly Inscribed by Patrick Leigh Fermor to Deborah of Devonshire
FERMOR, Patrick Leigh.
A Time To Keep Silence.
London: John Murray, 1957.
First edition of the author’s third book, regarding his experiences in various monasteries, inscribed by Leigh Fermor to Deborah of Devonshire. Octavo, original blue cloth. Illustrated by John Craxton. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the dedication page, “For Darling Debo written in great haste! (always) Paddy Leigh Fermor.” Deborah Devonshire began life as the youngest of the legendary Mitford sisters, but she unexpectedly became the duchess of Devonshire when her husband, Andrew Cavendish, inherited the duchy from his brother. Leigh Fermor first met Deborah when she was still a young debutante and eventually formed a deep friendship, as well as a correspondence that would last for more than half a century. Their letters were published in book form in 2010 with the title In Tearing Haste. When something caught their interest and they knew the other would be amused, they sent off a letter—there are glimpses of President Kennedy’s inauguration, weekends at Sandringham, filming with Errol Flynn, the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, and, above all, life at Chatsworth, the great house that Debo spent much of her life restoring, and of Paddy in the house that he and his wife designed and built on the Mani in Greece. There rarely have been such contrasting styles: Debo—smart, idiosyncratic, and funny—darts from subject to subject, dashing off letters in her breezy, spontaneous style. Paddy, the polygot and widely read virtuoso, replies in the fluent polished manner that has earned him recognition as one of the finest writers in the English language. Near fine in the original dust jacket with a chip to the crown of the spine and tape repair to the back panel. Jacket design by Peter Todd Mitchell. A remarkable association copy.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 93645
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First Edition of Fulton's Treatise on Canal Navigation
FULTON, Robert.
A Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation.
London: I. & J. Taylor at the Architectural Library, 1796.
Rare first edition of Robert Fulton’s A Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation. Quarto, bound in full contemporary tree calf with a red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. With seventeen engraved plates and an engraved portrait of Fulton tipped in as a frontispiece. From the library of American bibliophile James Lorimer Graham with his armorial bookplate. In very good condition. Housed in a custom full morocco box.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 104895
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First Edition of W. K. Vanderbilt's A Trip Through Italy, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria and Southern France
VANDERBILT, W. K.
A Trip Through Italy, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria and Southern France.
New York: Privatley Printed, 1918.
First edition of Vanderbilt’s account of his travels throughout Europe and North Africa. Octavo, original blind-stamped publisher’s cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, frontispiece map of the Tunis Tour, illustrated with engraved photographs, folding map. In near fine condition. A very sharp example.
Price: $950.00 Item Number: 95181
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"I WAS MUCH SURPRISED TO HEAR FOWLS SPEAK, AS THEY WERE TO SEE SUCH A MONSTER AS I APPEARED TO BE": RARE FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE EARLIEST PROTO-SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS: A VOYAGE TO CACKLOGALLINIA
BRUNT, Samuel.
A Voyage to Cacklogallinia: with a Description of the Religion, Policy, Customs and Manners of that Country.
London: J. Watson, 1727.
First edition of this early 18th century satire published in imitation of Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, or, Gulliver’s Travels. Octavo, bound in full brown morocco by Charles Thurman, Binder. Raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, embossed front and rear panels, engraved frontispiece. From the library of NASA scientist and science fiction expert Frederick I. Ordway III, best known for his contribution to the development of close personal friend, Stanley Kubrick’s, epic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Rare.
Price: $7,800.00 Item Number: 36011
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“AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO NAUTICAL SCIENCE”: First Edition of Phipps' A Voyage Towards the North Pole
PHIPPS, Constantine John.
A Voyage Towards the North Pole Undertaken by His Majesty’s Command 1773.
London: W. Bowyer and J. Nichols for J. Nourse, 1774.
First edition of the official account of Phipps’ polar voyage, with three folding maps, 12 engraved folding or double-page plates, and numerous charts and tables, 11 of which are folding. Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, red morocco spine label, gilt tooling the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition, stamp to the title page.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 112435