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"THE STUDY OF COOK IS THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL DISCOVERY": first edition complete set of Cook’s Voyages
HAWKESWORTH, John [Captain James Cook].
Cook’s Voyages: An Account of the Voyages Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere; South Pole and Round the World; A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean and the Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. The First, Second and Third Voyages.
London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1773, 1777, 1784.
Rare first edition set of the official accounts of Captain James Cook’s voyages, “the foundation of modern knowledge of the Pacific and a cornerstone of the literature of travel and exploration” (Beddie 648, 1216, 1543; Hill 782, 358, 361). Nine volumes altogether. Quarto, bound in full calf with morocco spine labels, elaborate gilt titles to the spine, front and rear panels, raised bands. Large folio atlas bound in the same manner. The First Voyage is comprised of three volumes edited by John Hawkesworth. “An Account of the Voyages… for making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere… In the Dolphin, the Swallow, and the Endeavour.” The Second Voyage includes two volumes, published in 1777: “A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World. Performed in His Majesty’s Ships Resolution and Adventure, In the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775”. First edition. Portrait frontispiece and 63 plates and charts (several folding or double-page). The Third Voyage was published in 1784: “A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, by the command of His Majesty, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. To determine The Position and Extent of the West Side of North America; its Distance from Asia; and the Practicability of a Northern Passage to Europe.” Four volumes, first edition. The text with 24 plates and charts as called for, with two large folding maps and 61 plates. An exceptional set.
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 112342
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LIMITED DELUXE FIRST EDITION OF ERNEST SHACKLETON’S HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC AND THE ANTARCTIC BOOK: SIGNED BY HIM AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EXPEDITION
SHACKLETON, Ernest H.
The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909.
London: William Heinemann, 1909.
Rare first edition, Special Limited Large Paper Issue of Shackleton’s account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909, one of only 300 copies printed. Quarto, bound in full (Heart of the Antarctic) and half (Antarctic Book) vellum, top edges gilt. First and only edition of The Antarctic Book, with the signatures of every member of the party, including Ernest Shackleton. In fine condition with light shelfwear. A very nice example.
Price: $45,000.00 Item Number: 108374
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“Undoubtedly, philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison": Rare First Edition of Jonathan Swifts's Classic Work Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World
SWIFT, Jonathan.
Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, first Surgeon, and then Captain of several Ships (Gulliver’s Travels).
London: Benjamin Motte, 1726.
First editions of Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece, Gulliver’s Travels. Octavo, bound in three quarters contemporary calf over marbled boards, engraved frontispiece of Lemuel Gulliver, woodcut initials, five engraved maps, gilt titles to the spine. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase. Bookplate to the pastedown and period ownership signature to each volume. Both volumes are the Teerink B edition. A very nice example of this classic in English literature.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 95317
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First editions in English of each volume in Humboldt's Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent; from the library of Steve Fossett
HUMBOLDT, Alexander von and Aime Bonpland.
Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent, During the Years 1799-1804.
London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, 1814-1829.
First editions in English of each volume in Humboldt’s narrative of his studies during his 21 year journey throughout the Americas which laid the foundation for the field of biogeography. Octavo, 11 volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine label, top edge gilt, folding map. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. 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 near fine condition. A stunning set, most rare and desirable.
Price: $16,000.00 Item Number: 95171
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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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The Works of Jonathan Swifts's From the Library of Founding Father Robert R. Livingstone
SWIFT, Jonathan [Robert R. Livingstone].
The Works of Jonathan Swift: Including, Gulliver’s Travels.
Edinburgh: Printed by Mrs. Mundell, 1778.
First of 4 issues, Scotch editions, from the library of Robert R. Livingstone, with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. Small octavo, bound in contemporary calf, spine compartments ruled with Greek key tooling, morocco spine labels. From the library of founding father Robert R. Livingston. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Livingston played an important role in the early development of the newly formed country. He was known as “The Chancellor”, after the high New York state legal office he held for 25 years. He was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, along with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Roger Sherman. Livingston administered the Oath of Office to George Washington when he assumed the presidency in 1789.He was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, the administrator for George Washington’s Oath of Office when he assumed presidency in 1789, and the chief negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In very good condition. An exceptional set with noted provenance.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 119642
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"Here the lilies were higher than my head, and the sunshine was warm enough for palms": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in contemporary gilt paneled and gilt floral full crushed brown niger morocco, gilt floral spine compartments, top edges gilt, green and brown gilt morocco doublures with the coat of arms of Anna W. S. Keator, green silked free endpapers, raised bands. Manuscript page from Muir bound into volume one from The Mountains of California. Illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates, the gravure plates, tissue guards, each with photogravure frontispiece, with the first seven hand-colored; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. With a manuscript leaf from John Muir in volume one. In fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 73083
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"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; With Eight Original Photographs
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in original special deluxe three quarters morocco over marbled boards, leather edges ruled in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, matching endpapers, top edges gilt. With Volumes 1 through 8 of this set each containing an original gelatin silver photograph at the front, each with a printed tissue guard. Kimes does not describe an edition with these additional real photo frontispieces. The binding matches that of Kimes 342. The scenes depicted in the inserted photographs are: The House of John Muir, Martinez, California; The Cathedral Spires, Yosemite National Park; Eucalyptus on Muir’s Ranch, Martinez, California; An Orange Tree in Front of Muir’s House, Martinez, California; The Lower Fall of the Yosemite (Telephoto view); A Cabin in the Muir Woods, on Mt. Tamalpais, California, used by John Muir, Joaquin Miller, and others; Arctic Ptarmigan; Crater Lake, Oregon. Manuscript page from Muir bound into volume one from Chapter 4 of The Mountains of California. The holograph text is written in brown ink with additional pencil emendations. The edited text begins: “I found a good camp-ground on the rim of a glacier.” Illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates, the gravure plates, tissue guards, each with photogravure frontispiece, with the first seven hand-colored; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. In fine condition. An exceptional example, rare with the original silver gelatin prints.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 76020
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"AN ORIGINAL SOURCE OF THE FIRST CLASS": LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT'S TRAVELS THROUGH THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA, SCARCE 1799 FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, WITH THREE MAPS OF AMERICA—A BEAUTIFUL COPY
LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT, [Francois Alexandre].
Travels Through the United States of North America, the Country of the Iroquois, and Upper Canada, in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797; With an Authentic Account of Lower Canada.
London: For R. Phillips by T. Davison, 1799.
First edition in English of “an original source of the first class for American history at the close of the 18th century” (Larned). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, with three engraved folding maps of North America and six folding tables. In near fine condition. An exceptional example of this landmark work. First editions are rare.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 112450
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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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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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"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; With Eight Original Photographs
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript edition of The Writings of John Muir. One of only 750 numbered copies, this is number 461. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in the original green with morocco spine labels with gilt titles, containing the original gelatin silver photographic frontispiece to each volume with tissue guards present, illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. The scenes depicted in the inserted photographs are: The House of John Muir, Martinez, California; The Cathedral Spires, Yosemite National Park; Eucalyptus on Muir’s Ranch, Martinez, California; An Orange Tree in Front of Muir’s House, Martinez, California; The Lower Fall of the Yosemite (Telephoto view); A Cabin in the Muir Woods, on Mt. Tamalpais, California, used by John Muir, Joaquin Miller, and others; Arctic Ptarmigan; Crater Lake, Oregon. Manuscript page from Muir bound into volume one, the text begins, “…are more & more ancient, & more & more obscured by vegetation & all kinds of post-glacial weathering. These studies invariably show, that the soils on which the forests are growing were not produced by the…” In near fine condition. An exceptional example, rare with the original silver gelatin prints.
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 96258
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Signed Limited Edition; One of 250 Copies Signed by Henry M. Stanley
STANLEY, Henry M.
In Darkest Africa or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria.
London: Sampson, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1890.
First edition, edition de luxe, number 242 of 250 copies signed by Henry Stanley. Original half black morocco over vellum, top edges gilt, 2 volumes. Two steel-engraved portrait frontispieces, two photogravure plates on India paper, mounted, 36 wood-engraved plates on India, mounted, 6 etchings by M.G. Montbard signed by the artist in pencil, 4 coloured maps and plans; the 2 larger folding maps mounted on linen. In near fine condition with some light rubbing to the extremities, bookplate. A very nice example.
Price: $6,200.00 Item Number: 93277
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Rare First Edition of Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever
Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever [Of Balloons aerostatic, the way to build them, elevate them].
Lausanne: J.P. Heubach & Cie, 1784.
First edition of this work, translated as, Of Balloons Aerostatic, the Way to Build Them, Elevate Them. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine and gilt balloon tooling in 4 compartments, marbled endpapers. This work is often wrongly attributed to Faujas de Saint-Fond, as it reprints his “Discours preliminaire” and the first chapter of Description des Experiences de la Machine Aerostatique… (1783), with plates re-engraved from or similar to those printed in 1783. However, the remainder of the work is made up reports of the most recent experiments and findings on aerial flight, and are not contained in other contemporary works. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. 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. Rare with no copies recorded in libraries in the United States or in Great Britain. Brockett 1263.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 111835
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First Editions of each volume of Lewis' Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, The Panjab, & Kalat; from the library of Adventurer and Aviator Steve Fossett with his bookplate to each volume
MASSON, Charles [James Lewis].
Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, The Panjab, & Kalat, During a Residence in those Countries.
London: Richard Bentley, 1842.
First edition of this narrative of Lewis’ travels between 1826 and 1838 through Balochistan, Sind, the Hazara, Afghanistan and the Punjab. Octavo, four volumes. Bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, gilt ruled, marbled endpapers, illustrated with engravings, folding map. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. 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. Provenance: from the library of John Archibald Shaw Stewart with a gift inscription to him on the front free endpaper of volume one, “from his sincere friends William Thomas Markham and Charles Henry Mills on his leaving Eton, Xmas 1845.” An exceptional association with noted provenance.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 95145
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Rare complete first edition of Abraham Fornander's Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore
FORNANDER, Abraham. With translations edited and illustrated with notes by Thomas G. Thrum.
Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore: the Hawaiians’ Account of the Formation of Their Islands and Origin of Their Race, with the Traditions of Their Migrations, Etc., As Gathered From Original Sources by Abraham Fornander.
Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1916-1917.
Rare complete first edition set of Fornander’s foundational work on Hawaiian history and legend. Quarto, 9 parts in 3 volumes bound in three quarters 20th century calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling and stamping to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, original wrappers bound in. In fine condition. A rare and desirable complete first edition set.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 119435
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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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First edition of Gallery of the Celebrated Landscapes of Switzerland; lengthily inscribed by Queen Victoria to a lady of her bedchamber
QUEEN VICTORIA,.
Gallery of the Celebrated Landscapes of Switzerland.
J.A. Preuss, and London: H. Rothe: Zurich, n.d. (ca. 1880).
First edition of this extensive gallery of photographs of Switzerland. Quarto, original publisher’s full decorative vellum with gilt titles to the spine and elaborate gilt central motif to the front panel depicting an alpine postal carriage, all edges gilt, gilt patterned endpapers, illustrated with one hundred collotypes displaying views of Switzerland. Presentation copy, with a full page inscription from Queen Victoria to Horatia Stopford, a Lady of her Bedchamber, “To dear Horatia Stopford from her affec. & grateful friend Victoria R Christmas 1885.” In near fine condition.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 109082
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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
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First Editions of Henry Yule's The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East; finely bound in full morocco by sangorski and sutcliffe
YULE, Colonel Henry.
The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East.
London: John Murray, 1871.
First edition of Yule’s important work which correlated Polo’s travels with their present-day locations. Octavo, two volumes. Bound in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruling and vignettes to the front panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, patterned endpapers, with maps and engraved illustrations many folding and in color. From the Adventure and Exploration collection of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. 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 near fine condition. First editions are uncommon.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 111068