Buy and sell, Art, collectibles with in Canada, British Columbia, Port Alberni / Oceanside, Port Alberni.
-
1
The Ferns of Bombay
By E. Blatter & J. F. d’Almeida
Published by D. B. Taraporevala Sons & Co., Bombay, 1922
First Edition — 236 pages total (including 8 pages of front matter)
Illustrated with 2 coloured and 15 black-and-white plates, and 43 text figures
A rare regional botanical study documenting the ferns of the Bombay Presidency, authored by Ethelbert Blatter (1877–1934) and J. F. d’Almeida. Blatter, a Swiss Jesuit botanist, was one of the foremost figures in early 20th-century Indian botany, widely respected for his detailed fieldwork and publications on the flora of Western India.
This 1922 first edition presents careful descriptions and illustrations of Bombay’s fern species, offering insight into the biodiversity of the region during the colonial period. It remains an important reference work in Indian pteridology.
Physical copies of The Ferns of Bombay are exceptionally scarce — most available today are scanned reproductions held in university and botanical library collections.
All pages are present and secure to the hinge. There is a slight seam split between the last page and index, and a partial upper page separation between the frontispiece and title page. Plates and text figures are intact, showing light toning consistent with age.
A genuine rarity for collectors of historical botany and Indian natural history, and a notable example of early 20th-century botanical publishing in India.
Happy to discuss shipping options!
-
2
The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion by Sir James George Frazer Published: 1951 by The Macmillan Company, New York Edition: Abridged edition, “Reset and printed from new plates 1951”.
Delve into the enchanting world of “The Golden Bough,” an abridged edition of Sir James George Frazer’s groundbreaking work, published in 1951 by The Macmillan Company, New York. This book, based on the original masterpiece from 1890, offers a captivating exploration of magical and religious beliefs across the globe, making it a timeless classic for those intrigued by the realms of mythology and comparative religion.
Condition: This copy is in good condition, with all 864 pages remaining clean and securely bound to the hinge. Whether you’re an antiquarian book collector or a lover of scholarly literature, you’ll appreciate the good quality of this edition.
Book Synopsis:
The Golden Bough” by Sir James George Frazer is a monumental work in the fields of anthropology, mythology, and comparative religion. The book explores the evolution of human belief systems and rituals, offering a comprehensive and detailed analysis of magical and religious practices from various cultures around the world.
The central thesis of the book is the idea that there is a commonality in the development of human beliefs, which Frazer argues progress through three stages: primitive magic, followed by organized religion, and ultimately supplanted by the scientific worldview. Frazer draws parallels between different cultures and mythologies to support his argument, shedding light on the universal themes and similarities that underlie seemingly disparate belief systems.
“The Golden Bough” is a rich and fascinating exploration of the human psyche, revealing the deep connections between myth, ritual, and the human experience. It’s a work that has had a profound influence on the study of folklore, religion, and anthropology, making it a must-read for anyone interested in these subjects.
About the Author:
Sir James George Frazer, born in Glasgow, Scotland on January 1, 1854, and passing away on May 7, 1941, left an indelible mark on the field of social anthropology. He played a pioneering role in the early development of the study of mythology and comparative religion. Frazer’s magnum opus, “The Golden Bough,” argues persuasively that human belief evolved through three distinct stages: from primitive magic to organized religion, and ultimately to the scientific worldview we embrace today. His work continues to be a cornerstone in the exploration of the human spiritual experience.
Happy to discuss shipping options.
-
3
The Heroes or Greek Fairy Tales for My Children by Rev. C. Kingsley
Published by S. W. Partridge & Co., Ltd.
This charming volume features a remarkable deep red panel in outstanding condition, with no fading. The cover is beautifully embossed with a gilt design, making it a stunning addition to any collection. Though undated, this edition is deduced to be circa 1900s based on its features and historical context.
Condition: The pages are clean, aside from a previous owner's gift inscription on the front free paper. There is a minor seam split between pages 132 and 133 at the top half of the seam (refer to image in the gallery area for example of this), but overall, this book is beautifully preserved, with 264 pages and a charming spine characteristic of the era.
Adorned with enchanting illustrations, this edition captivates both children and adults alike. Charles Kingsley, an English clergyman and historian, was a significant figure in Victorian literature, reflecting the 19th-century interest in folklore. His works aim to educate young readers through entertaining narratives, blending moral instruction with storytelling. In doing so, Kingsley introduced readers to the virtues of bravery, wisdom, and morality found in Greek mythology.
As a rare piece of literary history, this book is a treasure for collectors and literature enthusiasts.
Happy to discuss shipping options!
-
4
The Tragedy of the Lusitania: Embracing Authentic Stories by the Survivors and Eye-Witnesses of the Disaster, Including Atrocities on Land and Sea, in the Air, Etc. — Memorial Edition (1915) by Captain Frederick D. Ellis
Published by George W. Bertron, Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C.
This Memorial Edition, published the same year the RMS Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat (May 7, 1915), serves as one of the earliest collected records of the disaster. Compiled by Captain Frederick D. Ellis, it draws together firsthand survivor accounts, eyewitness testimony, and reports of atrocities occurring both at sea and on land during the wider context of World War I.
324 pages. Hardcover. Illustrated throughout with photos and depictions of the ship, passengers, and the broader wartime setting.
Full Title: The Tragedy of the Lusitania: Embracing Authentic Stories by the Survivors and Eye-Witnesses of the Disaster, Including Atrocities on Land and Sea, in the Air, Etc.
Bound in black cloth with gilt spine title, this copy remains dark and unfaded, protected in a removable cellophane wrap.
Condition Notes:
Seam split between the front board and title page. The front free endpaper is fully detached but present.
All other pages remain securely attached to the hinge.
Light edge rubbing, consistent with age.
Internally clean and unmarked.
Published swiftly in response to the tragedy, this Memorial Edition stands as a raw and immediate tribute to the lives lost, and as a window into how the event was understood in its time—before the political and historical lenses of later decades reframed its legacy.
Happy to discuss shipping options!
-
5
The Complete Book of Gardening
by John Coutts, A. Osborn & A. Edwards
Published in 1937 by Ward, Lock & Co., Limited (London)
Fourth Impression | Hardcover | 768 pages | 9.5″ x 6.5″
A beautifully illustrated and highly detailed gardening reference compiled by John Coutts along with A. Osborn and A. Edwards, then the curator and assistant curators of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. First published in 1930, this revised 1937 edition offers an expansive look at nearly every aspect of home gardening.
The content ranges from soil preparation, lawn care, and grafting to the design of rock gardens, flower borders, and fruit cultivation. Practical yet comprehensive, it’s the kind of book that walks you through the details of levelling your lawn just as easily as planning a perennial bed or planting bulbs by season.
What makes this volume especially compelling is not just its scope, but the credibility of its authors, whose work at Kew Gardens adds weight to the advice offered. Their writing reflects the gardening ideals of the early 20th century, a time when self-sufficiency and landscape beauty were held in equal regard. The tone is instructive but warm—encouraging patience, observation, and a respectful connection with the land.
Lavishly illustrated with sixteen colour plates (collated, complete) and numerous black-and-white vignettes throughout, this is both a practical manual and a piece of horticultural history.
Features:
– Covers traditional British gardening methods in detail
– Sixteen colour plates and many black-and-white illustrations
– Original publisher’s dark green cloth binding
– Bright gilt title on spine
– Uncommon in this condition and edition
Condition:
Very good overall. Clean and tightly bound, with minimal wear. The cloth boards retain their rich tone and the gilt spine lettering remains bright.
A substantial and elegant volume, ideal for collectors of vintage horticultural works or anyone who enjoys gardening books with depth, charm, and historical relevance.
Happy to discuss shipping options!
-
6
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Astor Edition, Published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
Undated, circa 1890s – early 1900s
New York: 46th 14th Street; Boston: 100 Purchase Street
This uncommon, undated Astor edition of Sense and Sensibility was published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. in the late 19th to early 20th century, around the 1890s to early 1900s. Its maroon boards with gold gilt titling on the spine provide a timeless elegance. Light foxing on the front pastedown and endpapers serves as subtle evidence of its age, while the 316 clean, unmarked pages ensure this copy is in excellent condition for its time.
First published in 1811, Sense and Sensibility follows the contrasting lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, as they navigate love, heartbreak, and societal expectations in late 18th-century England. Austen’s brilliant social commentary and wit balance the emotional depth of her characters, making it a beloved classic.
This clean and well-preserved, undated copy, in its uncommon Astor edition, stands as a fine example of Austen’s lasting literary legacy.
Happy to discuss shipping options!
-
7
Vintage McDonalds "Muppets" Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie,
All are 11" New in package. $40.00 set