A very handsome pair of books, bound in green fleck patterned buckram, being the history of maritime activity in the Pacific Ocean from Polynesian and Micronesian through European exploration, colonisation, Gold Rushes, intensive trading,  to the late 1930s.  

There is adventure, heroism, romance and tragedy. Convict and kanaka transportation, shipwreck, piracy, murder, mutiny, cannibalism, whaling, pearling and trawling.

published 1936  FJ Thwaites, Sydney

A scholarly work, not for the casual reader. However it is not to say the work is dense and unreadable; it provides an absorbing chronicle to be enjoyed chapter by chapter.

There are multiple appendices, addendum and complete index.

vol I  410 pp.  

vol. 2 478 pp.   both printed on heavy art paper, hand cut

to be sold as one lot.  Fine condition some foxing of end papers and scuffing of spines, top.

A triumph of historical narrative, brilliantly woven tale of the fearful privations endured by all involved. Villainy and heroism vie for the readers attention.

The depth of research and Fitzsimons' absorbing insights into the minds of those involved make it an awe-inspiring read. One comes away feeling everything that happened has been fully explained. The villains turn out to be not quite those expected.

Prologue Epilogue Bibliography Index and Dramatis Personae add to the impressive tale

613 pp. published 2018 two sections of illustrations in colour. Maps.

Very Good condition with some scuffing of spine. Dust cover Fine.

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great job. The ghosts of mariners come alive and she's passionate about Harrison and his clocks".

An important book telling the story of the man who created the chronometer so essential to accurate navigation.

Joseph Harrison faced prejudice and trickery but persevered for 40 years to perfect his  instrument.

A good read and a book to pass around to other maritime fans.

Soft cover 182 pp. GOOD condition. index (illustration shows one of two editions)

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great job. The ghosts of mariners come alive and she's passionate about Harrison and his clocks".

An important book telling the story of the man who created the chronometer so essential to accurate navigation.

Joseph Harrison faced prejudice and trickery but persevered for 40 years to perfect his  instrument.

A good read and a book to pass around to other maritime fans.

Soft cover 182 pp. GOOD condition. index (illustration shows one of two editions)

The title says it all but rest assured this is a deeply researched story of the family and their magnificent lighthouses around the coast of Britain. Including the heroic Bell Rock, in the Firth of Forth.  How each was built amid sometimes horrendous sea conditions. 

Photo and drawing section, map. Index and Bibliography for further research

Two copies:

284 pp. soft cover . GOOD condition with some sunning of pages. very slight dent at lower RHS cover

282 pp hard cover Very good condition. dust cover unmarked.

make your choice here: >

By  Christopher Bean, later to become famous as the official Australian War Historian, the book describes his idyllic trip down the river in the paddle steamer Dreadnought. The text in great part appeared in the Sydney Mail and the Sydney Morning Herald as a series, later published by permission.

It is an interesting tale, of meetings with people along the way, the life of the skipper and his brother, and a brilliant commentary on life along the river in its heyday.

This copy was inscribed by its first owner, a Mr Hardwick, in 1912.

Hard cover 360 pp. 12 photos and some maps. Large fold out map inside rear cover.

Good condition for its age.

A fine read and a valuable book. One identical copy seen advertised for $300!

The histories of five naval heroes of the 19th Century.  Howe, Hood, Sidney Smith, Rodney, Camelford, Charles Napier

Each chapter is a book in itself, telling the story of each man's impressive achievements and moments of genius.

8 portraits, several maps

296 pp.on rough cut art paper, cloth bound in buckram. Good tight condition some sunning of paper, no damage, some scuffing of corners

A fine quality book

Each service during both World Wars produced fascinating volumes of contributions by service personnel. The Anzac Book of 1916 was a first.

The Australian Navy's first two such books were well-received: leading to this, Vol 3

First edition 1944 over 200 contributions including accounts of battles, verse, cartoons, memoirs by men and officers, photos, drawings,  and some fine paintings by war artists. Much history and much good humour.

Unique and valuable. 

200 pp. over 120 illustrations ; photos paintings drawings etchings and cartoons . some very funny

Very good firm condition. Dust cover in tatters. pages toned by sunlight.

A collection of fine art photos by a master photographer.

soft cover 184 pp. approx 140 photos mostly B&W. Introductory text and minimal captions.

Very good condition, some rippling of front cover only, due to damp perhaps.

84 pp.over 20 illustrations.

Fine condition cloth bound, gold-embossed.

A joyful read for any Londoner or Anglophile maritime enthusiast

Free shipping in Australia

A beautifully illustrated , comprehensive history of the world's greatest ports; their growth and importance in our economic and cultural life today.

Hard cover, dust cover in fine condition. 310 pp. over 300 photos, many in colour. many maps of each port, and of their home cities. Full text.

Very fine condition, preserved in clear plastic wrapper.

The story of Anson's famous voyages around the world in the 18th century, 1730 onward.

Anson became a Commodore in the Royal Navy and was sent on many long voyages of adventure and asserting of the might of the RN

A very readable concise yet amusing history derived from official records and contemporary reports, 

Easily readable large type, 218 pp. some illustrations. hard back, solidly bound, art paper.

Good condition, dust jacket poor.

Wide ranging taking a peek at some aspects of US ships from 17th century up to USS United States 

Entertaining and informative 

282 pp. Index photo sections ad drawings

see image for precis

321  pp. some illustrations prints and photos B&W. Maps

 Fine condition

78  pp. approx 50 photos B&W. Maps.

A virtual instruction manual in sailing the Endeavour replica, accompanied by extracts from Cook's journal

 Very Fine condition

A pleasing little book with lots of photos describing working and leasure boats on the Derwent from early times up to the 1950s. Written in the style of a set of reminiscences it is a delightful study of local boatbuilding and working.

The book is in two parts: pp. 1 to 114 Hobart, plus a short 30 page look at seal hunting in the strait.

Very good condition dust cover tattered on corners.

A detailed year by year account of the sad ends suffered by so many ships. All is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

C5 size 148 pp.  approx 40 photos all B&W some drawings some maps, several detailed indexes

A valuable history and absorbing read.

 Fine condition

A collection of anecdotes on all sorts of topics concerning ships and voyages around Australian shores.  see image for contents

The story of Collaroy which gave its name to the Sydney beach is here, and much more.

150 pp. soft cover . Good firm condition

over 40 illustrations, mostly photos

an enjoyable book to browse and read, story by story.

A detailed year by year account of the villainy inflicted upon so many ships. The whole sad tale is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

 approx 40 illustrations, photos, paintings all B&W some drawings some maps, detailed indexes

A valuable history and absorbing read.

 Fine condition.  C5 size 105 pp. soft cover 

see image for precis

a very readable and authoritative account of the discoveries by a dedicated deep-ocean explorer.

396 pp. approx 40 photos many in colour, Index.

soft cover Fine Condition.

The Northern voyages.

A brilliantly readable account of all known voyages across the North Atlantic prior to 1660. Written with great good humour, debunking a few myths along the way.

A thorough history in a professional narrative style. many photos paintings and drawings, maps. full index.

710 pp. hard cover fair condition, dust jacket poor.

A big read for little outlay

A collection of all 4 volumes of this very readable series.         Each book approx 300 pages in length

Each includes approx 100 illustrations photos (vol IV) paintings and drawings all B&W,  with colour frontispiece   A marine historian's  delight.

Hard cover beautifully patterned and gold=embossed. All are in Fair to Good condition with some scuffing and occasional loosening of binding. No damage.            Weighty tomes each about 1.5 kg.

Offered as a full set at this special price

vol.. 1 to 1697

vol 2 1698 to 1783

vol. 3  1784 to 1814

vol. 4  1815 to 1875