Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2004 Issue
Travel From Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books
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The Cherry-Garrard book, and several others in this catalogue, carry an interesting association. They were once part of the library of another Antarctic explorer, Albert B. Armitage. Armitage had accompanied Scott on his previous journey to Antarctica a decade earlier, as Navigator and second in command. Some books are signed by Armitage and others contain inscriptions to him. All pertain to Antarctic exploration. Included is Armitage's own book, Two Years in the Antarctic, recounting his journey with Scott, which Armitage inscribed to his wife, Joy. Item 12. From 1905. L4,000. (US $7,436).
Here's another unpleasant trip. Robert Knox wrote about it in An Historical Relation of Ceylon...together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity of the Author and Divers Other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape. Knox and his mates set sale from London in 1658. Almost two years into their journey, the ship was forced to land in Ceylon during a storm. They were welcomed by the local king, but soon became captives. Knox, while being allowed to live a decent life, was not permitted to leave. It would be 19 years before he was finally able to escape and work his way back to England. Item 102. First edition, published in 1681. L2,000 (US $3,709).
H. Swainson Cowper took an interesting journey, which he wrote about in 1894. The title is, Through Turkish Arabia. Cowper followed the route from Aleppo in what is now Syria along the Euphrates and Tigris River valleys to Baghdad, and then on to Babylon, Karbela, and the Persian Gulf and India. It must have been a dangerous journey then, but not nearly as dangerous as it would be today. Item 31. L850 (US $1,580).
Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books may be found online at www.shapero.com or reached in London at +44 (0) 20 7493 0876.
