78 pp. Over 40 lifelike, finely executed water colours of each type of vessel according to the routes they plied, from the Early Days, Parramatta, up to the Manly Hydrofoils.

Good condition some scuffing of corners and dust cover ends. Firm binding.

A very readable tale, of poignant events. Wrecks such as Malabar and Tekapo have been "dived" by the author.

soft cover. 168 pp. over 40 B&W photos plus colour section of artifacts salvaged from wrecks.

Good condition Slight. scuffing of corners

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.

The epic South Seas Expedition 1838 - 1842

see second image for precis

442 pp. many contemporary maps, over 30 drawings and portraits, all B&W

Very Good condition

Enthralling: the account of epic voyage, shipwreck, desertions, scurvy and hunger, yet a beautifully written, utterly enjoyable read.

Real history, made fascinating and exciting.

302 pp. soft cover. many drawings, maps and illustrations, portraits,  all B&W.

Good condition

see second image for precis.

A serious well -researched, and entertainingly written study of the man who commanded the Beagle, and whom Darwin feared because he had come to the conclusion that not all life was due to Creation. Fitzroy was a devout Catholic and not likely to be receptive to this view.

Something of a thriller, this.

336 pp. soft cover approx 10 illustrations, early photographs, line drawings.

Very Good condition some creasing of cover corners

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.

"A rough account-- Lt. Bligh's voyage in the Bounty's Launch from the ship to Tofua and from thence to Timor". 28 April to 14 June 1789.

This is a transcription of a 108 page diary written on odd pieces of paper, kept by Bounty' signalman. Bligh appropriated it after the Mutiny as his log of the launch voyage, after which it was bound in leather. The book was acquired by the National Library Canberra in 1976.

The present volume: 334 pp. hard cover many drawings, facsimiles of actual pages. 

A valuable historical item.

Very Good condition, some scuffing and curling of dust cover 

It doesn't get more exciting than this especially if you live in Sydney..... you nearly became a citizen of a French Colony.

The title says it all, it only remains to say this is a very scholarly but entertaining work of history, with a fine element  of suspense. Who will make it first and why?

462 pp. hard cover. Over 30 illustrations paintings  mainly portraits, some maps.

Fine condition, as new.

A full historical account of the famous Around the World voyage, undertaken under secret instructions by Queen Elizabeth, under cover of raids on Spanish shipping in the South Atlantic.

Research including Drake's little-known private documents makes this uniquely enjoyable read.

400 pp. hard cover, Some illustrations mainly portraits, drawings, some maps. all B&W

Fine condition.

"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: >

128 pp. hard cover.  First edition 1972

Book Very Good condition, dust cover Fair with tears.

Over 90 illustrations, photos B&W. Bibliography list of titles, index.

An expertly written  full biography of the sailor become famous author.

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!

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 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

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 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.

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