Travel and Exploration

Fletcher, Colin

River: One Man’s Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1997.

First edition of this epic adventure by Fletcher, a renowned traveler and writer. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with 15 maps and 42 photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “For Jimmie Stanley, Colin Fletcher 6/8/97.” Fine in a fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket designContinue reading "River: One Man’s Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea."

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” FossettContinue reading "Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, The Panjab, & Kalat, During a Residence in those Countries."

Todd, Frank Morton

The Story of the Exposition; Being the Official History of the International Celebration Held at San Francisco in 1915 to Commemorate the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the Construction of the Panama Canal

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons/The Knickerbocker Press, 1921.

Complete first edition set of the most extensive review of the 1915 San Francisco Panama Pacific International Exposition ever written. Quartos, five volumes, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel, pictorial endpapers. With 600 illustrations from photographs, including 61 color plates. Near fine in the scarce original paper jackets which are in goodContinue reading "The Story of the Exposition; Being the Official History of the International Celebration Held at San Francisco in 1915 to Commemorate the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the Construction of the Panama Canal"

Stewart, Rory

The Places In Between.

London : Picador, 2004.

First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers. Signed by the author on the title page with the following inscription, “I recited and followed this song of the Places in Between as a map. Rory.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover photograph by Rory Stewart.

Naipaul, V.S

The Middle Passage: The Caribbean Revisited.

London : Andre Deutsch, 1962.

First edition of this travel work, “which belongs in the same category as Lawrence’s books on Italy, Greene’s on West Africa and Pritchett’s on Spain” (New Statesman). Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers. Boldly signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Name on the front free endpaper and stamp on the half-title page, near fineContinue reading "The Middle Passage: The Caribbean Revisited."

Naipaul, V.S

An Area of Darkness: An Experience of India; India: A Wounded Civilization and India: A Million Mutinies Now.

London : Andre Deutsch, 1964-1990.

First editions of each of the author’s works in his acclaimed Indian Trilogy. Octavo, original cloth. Each volume is signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Each are fine in near fine to fine dust jackets.

Nobbes, Robert

The Compleat Troller, or, The Art of Trolling.

London : Printed for T. James for Tho. Helder, 1682.

Rare first edition of Nobbes’ authoritative work on the history and methods of trolling. First issue with the engraved hook on page 37 pointing to the right and two woodcut illustrations in the text. Small octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers.Continue reading "The Compleat Troller, or, The Art of Trolling."

Fletcher, Colin

River: One Man’s Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1997.

First edition of this epic adventure by Fletcher, a renowned traveler and writer. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with 15 maps and 42 photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Alan and Lotte with best wishes Colin Carmel Valley, California 4/30/97.” Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dustContinue reading "River: One Man’s Journey Down the Colorado, Source to Sea."

Miller, Clara Huston

High Places of Sacrifice.

Philadelphia : Self Published, 1922.

First edition of Clara Huston Miller’s detailed memoir of her pilgrimages to the most important holy places of sacrifice throughout the world. Octavo, original half cloth over boards, illustrated throughout with photographs. In very good condition.

Stewart, Rory

The Places In Between.

Orlando : Harcourt, 2006.

Early printing of the author’s first book. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page in the year of publication, “To Heather, with very best wishes Rory August 2006.” In fine condition.

Bellow, Saul

To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account.

New York : The Viking Press, 1976.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s account of his journey to Jerusalem. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Mr. Bergstrom, who asks excellent questions Chicago, Nov 1, 76 Saul Bellow.” The recipient was journalist Goran Bergstrom. Fine in aContinue reading "To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account."

Wells, Carveth

Six Years in the Malay Jungle.

Garden City, NY : Garden City Publishing, 1925.

First edition of Wells’ work on the Malay jungle. Octavo, original orange cloth, frontispiece. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Uncommon in the original dust jacket,

Kirby, E.S.

See My Chinese Street.

Hong Kong : K. Weiss, 1954.

Signed limited first edition of E.S. Kirby’s illustrated travel book. One of 250 signed numbered copies, this is number 57. Signed by E.S. Kirby. Quarto, original embroidered silk, illustrated with 112 illustrations and 7 full multi-color pages, errata slip with first edition issue points laid in as issued. OCLC locates only 11 copies of thisContinue reading "See My Chinese Street."

Leigh Fermor, Patrick

The Traveller’s Tree: A Journey Through the Caribbean Islands.

London : John Murray, 1950.

First edition of Leigh Fermor’s first book. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the title page. Fine in a very good dust jacket. Illustrations by A. Costa.

Campbell, John

A Political Survey of Britain: Being a Series of Reflections on the Situation, Lands, Inhabitants, Revenues, Colonies, and Commerce of This Island.

Dublin : T. Ewing and C. Jenkin, 1775.

Rare second edition of John Campbell’s classic survey of late sixteenth century Britain. Octavo, four volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, gilt titles. In good condition.    

Kennedy, John F. (Wally Schirra)

John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph to Astronaut Wally Schirra.

.

Color photograph of President Kennedy meeting with astronaut Wally Schirra and his family in the Oval Office, affixed to its original mount. Boldly inscribed, “To Commander Walter Schirra—and his family—with esteem and best wishes, John Kennedy.” Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 16.75 inches by 16.5 inches. An exceptional piece linking these two greatContinue reading "John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph to Astronaut Wally Schirra."

Seton-Thompson, Ernest

Lives of the Hunted.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1901.

First edition of this collection of stories. Octavo, original cloth, with over 200 drawings. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To S.D. Green with best wishes of Ernest Seton-Thompson.” Seton Thompson has added a drawing of a bear paw. In near fine condition.

Nansen, Fridtjof (Roald Amundsen)

Nord I Takeheimen: Utforskningen av Jordens Nordlige Strok i Tidlige Tider.

Christiana : Jacob Dybwads, 1911.

First edition of Nansen’s history of Arctic exploration, from the library of explorer Roald Amundsen with his signature. In the year this work was published, Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole, having traveled south on Nansen’s own ship, the Fram. Quarto, original cloth, in-text illustrations. Signed and dated Roald Amundsen 13 May 1912.Continue reading "Nord I Takeheimen: Utforskningen av Jordens Nordlige Strok i Tidlige Tider."

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 gelatinContinue reading "The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition."

Boynton, C.B. and T.B. Mason

A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources.

Cincinnati : Moore, Wilstach, Keys, 1855.

Rare wrapper-bound issue of the second book on Kansas. Octavo, original wrappers, with a folding map of Nebraska and Kansas by Boynton. The pictorial advertisement for the publisher on the rear wrapper features a picture of the establishment. With “Sixth Thousand!” printed at the top of the front wrapper. In good condition with some wear toContinue reading "A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources."

Fletcher, Colin

The Thousand-Mile Summer in Desert and High Sierra.

Berkeley, CA : Howell-North Books, 1964.

First edition of Fletcher’s classic first book. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with photographs from the author. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Dean Well from Colin Fletcher.” Fine in a very good dust jacket. Uncommon signed.

Fermor, Patrick Leigh; Edited by Artemis Cooper

Words of Mercury.

London : John Murray, 2003.

Early printing of this collection of essays by Leigh Fermor. Octavo, original boards. Signed by Leigh Fermor on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket designed by Octavius Murray. Edited by Artemis Cooper.

Photographic View Book of China, Manchuria, and Korea.

Japan c. 1930.

First edition, oblong quarto, original boards. Gilt-lettered cloth, string-bound. Text in Japanese with captions in both Chinese and English. Illustrated with  photographs throughout, large folding panorama of the Great Wall of China; folding map of Korea, Manchuria and portions of northeastern China. A unique record of history.

Leake, William Martin

Travels in Northern Greece.

London : J.Rodwell, 1835.

First edition of Leakes work on Northern Greece. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth, 10 engraved maps and plans, some folding, and 44 plates, wood-engraved illustrations in text. In near fine condition with some toning and light wear to the extremities. Armorial bookplates to each volume. First editions in the original cloth are rare.