First Editions

OMOO was a sequel to Melville's Typee. Tells a tale of mutiny onboard a whaling ship which results in the crew being imprisoned on Tahiti. First edition published by John Murray, London in 1847. Quarter bound leather with marbled boards. Front board unhinged, some foxing, previous owner's copperplate signature on front endpaper.

John Murray, London, 1847. Hardback. 321 pages, illustrated. SECONDHAND.

Famous for escapist adventure and science fiction novels and short stories, this is part of one of his best known, 'Around the World in Eighty Days'. First published in 1873 as a single volume, this is part of the three volume edition of 1877. Illustrations by Riou.

George Routledge and Sons, London, 1877. Hardback, decorated cloth boards. 264 pages. SECONDHAND

An Australian children's classic, this tells the story of Cathie and her widowed mother. From the author of Seven Little Australians. Eight colour plates and several black and white illustrations by H.C. Sandy and D.H. Souter. Short tear to dust-jacket but hardcovers have beautiful gilt and decoration. Published Melboure, London, 1911.First edition.

Ward, Lock & Co., London and Melbourne, 1908. Hardcover with dust jacket. 224 ages, illustrations, plus adverts. SECONDHAND.

Health Reader, a Southern Cross Series book published by Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, Christchurch, NZ, c. 1905. Contains 20 illustrations by Norman Lindsay, created early in his career. A rare find.

Whitcombe and Tombs. Hardback. 139 pages, illustrated. SECONDHAND

An essay about a dinner conversation by the doyenne of modernist literature in English. Cover illustration by Vanessa Bell. First edition.

Hogarth Press, London, 1934. Card covers, stab stiched binding. 28 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of a young boy, and old man and a giant fish, a masterly novel by a great 20C writer. First British edition. Some foxing and short tears to head of dust jacket, price clipped. Originally sold in Christchurch at South's Book Depot.

Jonathan Cape, London, 1952. Hardback with dust jacket. 127 pages. SECONDHAND

The last in the trilogy of the Larkin family, begun by 'The Darling Buds of May' and continued in 'A Breath of French Air'. The place is the rich fertile Kent countryside and the time is 1959. Previous owner's signature on front endpaper, some foxing, very minor tears to rear of DJ. Signed by the Author.

Michael Joseph, London, 1960. Hardback with dust-jacket, 158 pages. SECONDHAND

A selection of verses from the 'Red Book' with illustrations by Pauline Baynes. Short tears to head of dust jacket which is price clipped, otherwise very good. First edition.

George Allen and Unwin Ltd., London, 1962. Hardback with dust jacket. 63 pages. SECONDHAND

One of the ever popular 'Jeeves and Wooster' novels set at Totleigh Towers the residence of Sir Watkyn Bassett. A good copy with short tear to foot of dust jacket, not price clipped. Some foxing.

Herbert Jenkins Ltd., London, 1963. Hardback with dust jacket. 189 pages. SECONDHAND

Perhaps the best known book by this popular natural history and travel writer, brother of Lawrence. Gerald Durrell (1925-1995) was founder of the Jersey Zoological Park and took the lead in many early conservation projects around the world. Good clean copy with slight chips to head and tail of dust jacket. Original book society price band  retained. Previous owner's bookplate. THIS COPY SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on front free endpaper.

Rupert Hart-Davis, London, 1956. Hardback with dust jacket. 255 pages. SECONDHAND

Six months before the Battle of Trafalgar, Hornblower is on a lonely and dangerous mission. This is the last, and uncompleted, Hornblower novel and also includes two short stories. A good copy with some wear to DJ.

Michael Joseph, London, 1967. Hardback with dust jacket. 174 pages. SECONDHAND

Anglo-Irish novelist and Booker Prize winner Iris Murdoch, employed a blend of realism and symbolism in her highly-regarded work. This is her forth novel and concerns the trials and adventures of an eccentric religious community. A good clean copy with an almost faultless dust jacket. Previous owner's bookplate. THIS COPY SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR to title page.

Chatto & Windus, London, 1958. Hardback with dust jacket. 319 pages. SECONDHAND

Van Der Post's account of the expedition he led in 1957 to investigate the lives of the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. Describes their customs, lore, rock paintings and sacred sites. First edition.

Hogarth Press, London, 1958. Hardback with dustjacket, 256 pages. SECONDHAND

Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander tells the tale of Lieutenant Jack Aubrey whose flagging career takes off when he gains command of the brig Sophie. First edition, published by Collins, London, 1970. Good condition, sunning to spine of dust jacket and price clipped.

Collins, London, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 350 Pages. SECONDHAND

Patrick O'Brian's hero Jack Aubrey is now middle aged and harrassed by family life. Given the chance to take a new assignment and command he finds himself sailing to the Indian Ocean to capture the French island bases of Mauritius and Reunion. First edition, published by Collins, London, 1977. Excellent condition, price clipped jacket.

Collins, London, 1977. Hardback with dust jacket. 268 pages. SECONDHAND