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Exploration & Travel

Rare books and manuscripts of Exploration and Travel across the world. From first editions of Captain Cook to works signed by Ernest Shackleton, and from the plains of India to the deserts of the Sahara, these works chart the history of mankind recording the places and people they saw.

See: Africa, Antarctica, Arabia & the Middle East, Arctic, Australasia, the Pacific & Voyages, Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, Greece, Turkey & the Ottoman Empire, Mountaineering, Russia & the Caucasus, South Asia, Southeast Asia, The Americas

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  • This accont preceded the publication of the offical account of Lord Anson's voyage by three years.
    This accont preceded the publication of the offical account of Lord Anson's voyage by three years.

    [ANSON'S VOYAGE]. THOMAS, Pascoe.
    A true and impartial Journal of a Voyage to the South-Seas, 1745.
    $2,403.00

  • A superb copy of Ferer Maldonado's account of a spurious 1588 voyage, during which the Spanish navigator claimed to have discovered the Northwest Passage.
    A superb copy of Ferer Maldonado's account of a spurious 1588 voyage, during which the Spanish navigator claimed to have discovered the Northwest Passage.

    FERRER MALDONADO, Lorenzo.
    Viaggio dal mare Atlantico al Pacifico per la via del nord-ouest fatto 1811.
    $6,864.00

  • First latin edition of this important account of Houtman's voyage, the first Dutch voyage ot the East Indies. With detailed descriptions of Java and Bali.
    First latin edition of this important account of Houtman's voyage, the first Dutch voyage ot the East Indies. With detailed descriptions of Java and Bali.

    [LODEWYCKSZOON, Willem].
    Prima pars descriptionis itineris in Indiam Orientalem, 1598.
    $27,456.00

  • The first editin of one of the most important scientific explorations to the Pacific and Northwest Coast of America. From a princely library.
    The first editin of one of the most important scientific explorations to the Pacific and Northwest Coast of America. From a princely library.

    LA PÉROUSE, Jean-François de Galaup (Comte de).
    Voyage de la Pérouse An V [1797].
    $27,456.00

  • The first English edition of the first Russian circumnavigation, providing detailed information on Japan, the Northwest coast of America and Hawai'i.
    The first English edition of the first Russian circumnavigation, providing detailed information on Japan, the Northwest coast of America and Hawai'i.

    KRUSENSTERN, Capt. A.J. von.
    Voyage round the World 1813.
    $18,533.00

  • A very attractive example of the French edition of the first Russian circumnavigation, complete with the rare and beautiful atlas.
    A very attractive example of the French edition of the first Russian circumnavigation, complete with the rare and beautiful atlas.

    KRUSENSTERN, Johann Adam von.
    Voyage autour du monde, fait dans les années 1803, 1804, 1805 et 1806, 1821.
    $27,456.00

  • An anonymous account of Houtman's expedition which demonstrated to the Dutch that they could circumvent the Portuguese monopoly on trade in the East.
    An anonymous account of Houtman's expedition which demonstrated to the Dutch that they could circumvent the Portuguese monopoly on trade in the East.

    [HOUTMAN'S VOYAGE].
    Diarium nauticum 1598.
    $34,320.00

  • The second Spanish edition of a highly important collectin of Spanish narratives of exploration and conquest, drawing on some sources no longer extant.
    The second Spanish edition of a highly important collectin of Spanish narratives of exploration and conquest, drawing on some sources no longer extant.

    HERRERA TORDESILLAS, Antonio de.
    Historia general de los hechos de los Castellanos 1730, 1729, 1726, 1725, 1728, 1730.
    $34,320.00

  • First edition of Scenes in Kafirland by Lumley Graham and Hugh Robinson, containing 21 hand-coloured lithograph plates of views and scenes in the Cape Colony in South Africa.
    First edition of Scenes in Kafirland by Lumley Graham and Hugh Robinson, containing 21 hand-coloured lithograph plates of views and scenes in the Cape Colony in South Africa.

    GRAHAM, Lieut. Lumley; ROBINSON, Lieut. Hugh.
    Scenes in Kafirland, 1854.
    $8,924.00

  • A rare complete set of the official account of Freycinet's voyage of scientific exploration in the Uranie and the Physicienne.
    A rare complete set of the official account of Freycinet's voyage of scientific exploration in the Uranie and the Physicienne.

    FREYCINET, Louis-Claude de Saulces de.
    Voyage autour du Monde, 1824-44.
    $185,328.00

  • Extremely rare and desirable. First edition of Dumont d'Urville's voyage in the Astrolabe. One of the great French early 19th-century Grands Voyages.
    Extremely rare and desirable. First edition of Dumont d'Urville's voyage in the Astrolabe. One of the great French early 19th-century Grands Voyages.

    DUMONT D'URVILLE, Jules Sebastien Cesar.
    Voyage de la Corvette l'Astrolabe execute par ordre du roi, pendant les annees 1826-1827-1828-1829. 1830-1835.
    $151,008.00

  • This part of de Bry's Petit Voyages includes the discovery of Hudson's Bay, the voyages of Linschoten, an account of de Quiros's voyage to Terra Australis.
    This part of de Bry's Petit Voyages includes the discovery of Hudson's Bay, the voyages of Linschoten, an account of de Quiros's voyage to Terra Australis.

    DE BRY, Theodor.
    [Petit Voyages]. Indiae Orientalis Pars X. 1613.
    $34,320.00

  • Exceedingly rare. This was intended as a supplement to Coxe's Account of the Russian Discoveries published in 1780.
    Exceedingly rare. This was intended as a supplement to Coxe's Account of the Russian Discoveries published in 1780.

    COXE, William.
    A Comparative View of the Russian Discoveries with those made by Captain Cook and Clerke. 1787.
    $34,320.00

  • The rare silver issue of the Royal Society's Cook Medal. One of only 322.
    The rare silver issue of the Royal Society's Cook Medal. One of only 322.

    [COOK]. PINGO, Lewis.
    Royal Society Cook Medal. 1784.
    $3,776.00

  • The definitive edition. These early Dutch voyages rank amongst the most important mercantile adventures in the history of European expansion.
    The definitive edition. These early Dutch voyages rank amongst the most important mercantile adventures in the history of European expansion.

    COMMELIN, Isaac (editor).
    Begin ende Voortgangh van de Vereenighde Nederlantsche Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie. 1646 & 1645.
    $41,184.00

  • One of the rarest items concerning Captain Cook's second voyage.
    One of the rarest items concerning Captain Cook's second voyage.

    WALES, William.
    Remarks on Mr. Forster's Account of Captain Cook's Last Voyage round the World, 1778.
    $27,456.00

  • First French edition of Zimmerman's account of Cook's third voyage which appeared three years before the official version.
    First French edition of Zimmerman's account of Cook's third voyage which appeared three years before the official version.

    ZIMMERMANN, Heinrich.
    Dernier voyage du Capitaine Cook autour du Monde, 1782.
    $13,728.00

  • A work of huge importance for the inclusion of Captain Cook's paper on the prevention of scurvy.
    A work of huge importance for the inclusion of Captain Cook's paper on the prevention of scurvy.

    PRINGLE, Sir John.
    A Discourse upon some late Improvements of the Means for Preserving the Health of Mariners. 1776.
    $20,592.00

  • A rare poetic outburst occasioned by the return of Captain Cook from his first voyage.
    A rare poetic outburst occasioned by the return of Captain Cook from his first voyage.

    [COATES, Rev. Charles?]
    Otaheite: a Poem. 1774.
    $12,356.00

  • The Courage and Perseverance medal was struck soon after word of Capt. Cook's death reached England in 1780.
    The Courage and Perseverance medal was struck soon after word of Capt. Cook's death reached England in 1780.

    [COOK, Capt. James].
    The Courage and Perseverance Medal. [1780].
    $13,042.00

  • First edition of Brindesi's Souvenirs de Constantinople in excellent condition and in the original cloth, an important set of views of the Ottoman Empire.
    First edition of Brindesi's Souvenirs de Constantinople in excellent condition and in the original cloth, an important set of views of the Ottoman Empire.

    BRINDESI, Jean.
    Souvenirs de Constantinople. [1855].
    $17,160.00

  • First edition of the official record of Hyacinthe de Bougainville's voyage round the world, with superb illustrations.
    First edition of the official record of Hyacinthe de Bougainville's voyage round the world, with superb illustrations.

    BOUGAINVILLE, Hyacinthe Yves Philippe Potentien (Baron de).
    Journal de la navigation autour du globe 1837.
    $20,592.00

  • First edition of The Beautiful Scenery and Chief Places of Interest throughout the Crimea by Carlo Bossoli, containing 51 views of Crimea and the Ukraine.
    First edition of The Beautiful Scenery and Chief Places of Interest throughout the Crimea by Carlo Bossoli, containing 51 views of Crimea and the Ukraine.

    [UKRAINE]. BOSSOLI, Carlo (illustrator).
    The Beautiful Scenery and Chief Places of Interest throughout the Crimea. 1856.
    $6,864.00

  • Excessively rare. There are only a handful of known copies of the special advance issue of Bligh's narrative of his voyage in the Bounty.
    Excessively rare. There are only a handful of known copies of the special advance issue of Bligh's narrative of his voyage in the Bounty.

    BLIGH, William.
    A Voyage to the South Sea; 1792.
    $34,320.00

  • The account of the sensational trail of the Bounty mutineers. A legendary Pacific rarity, the Appendix by Fletcher Christian's brother.
    The account of the sensational trail of the Bounty mutineers. A legendary Pacific rarity, the Appendix by Fletcher Christian's brother.

    [BLIGH]. BARNEY, Stephen & CHRISTIAN, Edward.
    Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court-Martial 1794.
    $54,912.00

  • First edition of My Diary North and South by William Russell, the first modern war correspondent.
    First edition of My Diary North and South by William Russell, the first modern war correspondent.

    RUSSELL, William Howard.
    My Diary North and South. 1863.
    $344.00

  • The account of Speke's final expedition. It's purpose was to explore the Victoria Nyanza area and confirm that the lake was the source of the White Nile.
    The account of Speke's final expedition. It's purpose was to explore the Victoria Nyanza area and confirm that the lake was the source of the White Nile.

    SPEKE, John Hanning
    Journal of the discovery of the source of the Nile 1863.
    $1,716.00

  • First edition in the original cloth of Caravan Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan, by Joseph Ferrier.
    First edition in the original cloth of Caravan Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan, by Joseph Ferrier.

    FERRIER, Joseph Pierce.
    Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan; 1856.
    $1,305.00

  • First edition of Journal of a Tour in Germany, Sweden, Russia, Poland by John Thomas James, containing 18 plates.
    First edition of Journal of a Tour in Germany, Sweden, Russia, Poland by John Thomas James, containing 18 plates.

    JAMES, John Thomas.
    Journal of a Tour in Germany, Sweden, Russia, Poland, during the Years 1813 and 1814. 1816.
    $1,305.00

  • First edition of Wilfrid Thesiger's Marsh Arabs, his account of his time with the marsh Arabs of southern Iraq in the 1950's.
    First edition of Wilfrid Thesiger's Marsh Arabs, his account of his time with the marsh Arabs of southern Iraq in the 1950's.

    THESIGER, Wilfrid.
    The Marsh Arabs. 1964.
    $344.00

  • Arabia of the Wahhabis by Harry St John Philby, the 1977 New impression with new plates and addiitional material.
    Arabia of the Wahhabis by Harry St John Philby, the 1977 New impression with new plates and addiitional material.

    PHILBY, H. St John.
    Arabia of the Wahhabis. 1977.
    $344.00

  • First edition of The Empty Quarter by Harry St. John Philby, charmingly bound.
    First edition of The Empty Quarter by Harry St. John Philby, charmingly bound.

    PHILBY, Harry St. John B.
    The Empty Quarter 1933.
    $1,167.00

  • First edition of Eight Views, of the Mauritius by Richard Temple, a scarce set of prints depiction the British Invasion of Mauritius.
    First edition of Eight Views, of the Mauritius by Richard Temple, a scarce set of prints depiction the British Invasion of Mauritius.

    [TEMPLE, Lieutenant R.]
    Eight Views, of the Mauritius, 1813.
    $6,864.00

  • An important work. Grelot was the first to prepare detailed plans of St. Sophia and other monuments in Constantinople.
    An important work. Grelot was the first to prepare detailed plans of St. Sophia and other monuments in Constantinople.

    GRELOT, William Joseph.
    A Late Voyage to Constantinople, 1683.
    $2,540.00

  • First edition of Castelmaine's <em>Account</em>, reporting to the King by letter on the war in Crete between the Venetians and the Turks.
    First edition of Castelmaine's <em>Account</em>, reporting to the King by letter on the war in Crete between the Venetians and the Turks.

    CASTLEMAINE, Roger Palmer (Earl of).
    An Account Of the Present War 1666.
    $3,432.00

  • full of valuable topographical information as well as containing interesting data on natural history, and the peoples of the region.
    full of valuable topographical information as well as containing interesting data on natural history, and the peoples of the region.

    ROWLEY, Henry.
    The story of the Universities' Mission to Central Africa, 1866.
    $550.00

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