Thursday, October 29, 2015

NEW ARRIVALS: Musician Signed Photographs - Rachmaninoff, Heifetz, Segovia, Menhuin, Van Cliburn, and many more.


We recently acquired a great group of Musician signed vintage photographs including famous musicians such as Rachmaninoff, Heifetz, Segovia, Menhuin, Van Cliburn, and many more.


 We have also acquired vintage and exotic Travel Photographs from places such as Ceylon,  Malaysia,  Venice,  China,  Burma, Egypt ...
(Please enquire)








Included in the new arrivals, we have acquired
ARCTIC BOOKS AND TRAVEL BOOKS 



Captain Cook's Third Voyage

Includes a folding view of "The Death of Cook" not found with the first edition. This publication is based on the official account of Cook's Third Voyage, but was adapted for a wider public by leaving out technical details. The plates are based on those found in the first edition, but have been re-engraved for this edition.

SOLD 






 
Belcher, Edward.  THE LAST OF THE ARCTIC VOYAGES. Being a Narrative of the Expedition in H.M.S. Assistance, Under the Command of Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., in Search of Sir John Franklin, during the Years 1852-53-54.  With Notes on the Natural History, by Sir John Richardson, Professor Owen, Thomas Bell, J.W. Salter, and Lovell Reeve.  London: Lovell Reeve, 1855.  2 volumes.  xx + 383pp; vii + 419pp.  36 lithographic plates (12 of which are coloured), 25 text illustrations, 4 charts (3 of which are folding).  Early 20th Century half crimson morocco and cloth boards, raised bands, gilt.    An attractively bound set. 

Belcher led the Admiralty-sponsored five-ship expedition to Wellington Channel in the spring of 1852.  Dividing the squadron into 2 parts, with the North Star remaining at Beechey Island as a base, Belcher sailed with the Assistance and the Pioneer under Sherard Osborn through the Wellington Channel.  The expedition made numerous discoveries there and subsequent sledging parties discovered further islands on their journeys westward.  At this time, the other two expedition ships, Resolute and Intrepid, rescued the crew of M’Clure’s Investigator expedition, also searching for Franklin and the first to travel through the North West passage.  Belcher finally sailed back towards Lancaster Sound, but the expedition ships were unable to penetrate the pack ice and all were eventually abandoned, the crews returning to the North Star.  On his return home, Belcher was court-martialled for his decision to abandon the expedition ships, but acquitted.  [AB 1241] 

SOLD

We have recently acquired a small collection of rare arctic books.

RARE BIRD BOOK COLLECTION 





Lesson, R. P.  HISTOIRE NATURELLE DES OISEAUX DE PARADIS ET DES ÉPIMAQUES. Paris: Arthus Bertrand.  [1834-1835]. First edition. 4to --Large paper copy. [4] + viii +248pp + [4]. 43 beautiful hand coloured plates ( some large plates double page )--printed in colour and finished by hand by Jean Gabriel Prêtre and Paul Louis Oudart. In near contemporary deluxe full morocco, probably by a French bookbinder, with ornate arabesque corners front and back boards. Handsome copy with plates brightly coloured.

René Primevère Lesson (1794-1849) was a surgeon on board the "Coquille" on Duperrey's circumnavigation of the Pacific (1822 to 1825). Lesson's work on this voyage earned him a place among the prominent French naturalists of the period, including Dumont d'Urville (who was second-in-command on the voyage). The book was initially issued in parts, in 8vo format. This copy intended as a large paper copy, measuring thus 12" x 9", instead of 9" x 6".   Listed in FINE BIRD BOOKS.

From the J. Fenwick Lansdowne Bird Book collection who is best known in British Columbia for BIRDS OF THE WEST COAST, 2 volumes.


Phone for the price 1 888 869-5459   Catalog anticipated early Summer 2016

One of the thrills of working as an antiquarian bookseller is to be offered private libraries. In the summer of 2015, we acquired a notable collection which nearly filled the van.


Your Inquiries are welcome 1 888 869-5459

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Interesting Photographs and Rare Book Collections Wanted

Wanted to Purchase

Interesting photographs

Carte de visite of Charles Darwin



Carte de visite of Salish woman and child
Victoria, B.C. 

RARE BOOKS

Fine binding on a first edition of 
Samuel Hearne's
A JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN
(1795)

BOOK COLLECTIONS

Call us for free!
Toll Free 1 888 869-5459


Friday, March 21, 2014

Rare books, Vintage Photographs, Documents, Manuscripts WANTED: We make house calls

We are purchasing large collections of rare books, pamphlets, manuscripts and historical letters, and vintage photographs.  “Almost” all subject matters, but in particular:
  • HISTORY
  • TRAVEL AND EXPLORATION
  • LITERATURE
  • SCIENCE AND MEDICINE
We also purchase:  Documents  -  Manuscripts  - Correspondence with Historical Content or Featuring Famous People in History

We are particularly interested in:
  • Photograph Albums
  • Individual Vintage Photographs by Notable 19th Century and Early 20th Century Photographers
  • Postcard Albums
  • Postal History Related to Canada and China
  • Anything Related To China, Including Publications in Chinese  中文
We make house calls anywhere in B.C. for large collections, and can usually travel at short notice.
Appraisals
As a recognized and accepted appraiser, I also carry out appraisals of collections or groups of important items, for which a professional fee is charged.  I do not appraise single items.








Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Regina Cyclone 1912 ? An unusual photograph of dump trucks at Regina, Saskatchewan



Garbage has never looked so "interesting"

Could this image of akimbo trucks depict part 

of the clean-up after the Regina Cyclone in 1912?



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Yuen Fong Company in Vancouver Chinatown


November 1960

Yuen Fong Company of Vancouver supplied Chinatown businesses and restaurants across Canada and some parts of the United States with traditional Chinese goods such as food stuffs, medicine, porcelain, fans, slippers, art scrolls, lanterns, drinks, canned goods, and more.  They were retailers and wholesalers.  The illustrated catalogues are all in traditional characters.  The business closed soon after 1982.