SCWC Rare & Vintage Books
IN SEARCH OF IRELAND
H.V. Morton (1933)
Price: $40
Few books on Ireland match the merit and affection of H.V. Morton’s In Search of Ireland. Part of his celebrated ‘Search’ series, this classic travel narrative blends travelogue with cultural anthropology, showing how ancient folklore and local customs illuminate both the country and its people. Morton’s genuine curiosity and deep historical knowledge shine through as he captures the humanity of exploration across Dublin and the rural Atlantic coast. This eighth edition hardcover, with 16 illustrations and an endpaper map, is a near-fine green cloth copy with gold detailing and only minor wear.
IN SEARCH OF ENGLAND
H.V. Morton (1938)
Price: $40
H.V. Morton’s personal adventure across the British Isles continues in another of his beloved ‘Search’ books. Published when travel was far less accessible, In Search of England follows Morton through old customs and traditions — from Glastonbury and Stonehenge to Dartmoor — reconnecting readers with a gentler England in the years after the First World War. With 18 illustrations and an endpaper map, this twenty-fifth edition hardcover captures Morton’s characteristic charm and curiosity, offering a delightful view of the country and its residents. This near-fine blue cloth copy, with gold detailing and only light wear, is ideal for collectors of classic travel writing.
IN SCOTLAND AGAIN
H.V. Morton (1936)
Price: $40
A companion volume to In Search of Scotland, this book details Morton’s second tour of the country, from the Border to John o’ Groats. His earlier travels make him an even more intimate guide as he recounts experiences such as a week of fishing in the North Sea and wandering through the Highlands and Lowlands. His descriptions of Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s mansion, add further charm. With 22 illustrations and an endpaper map, this fifth edition hardcover is a near-fine red cloth copy with gold detailing and only light wear.
THE READER’S DIGEST GREAT WORLD ATLAS
(1970)
Price: $50
What if you could see the entire planet from hundreds of kilometres above, rendered as a map from a sculpted model? Drawing on decades of cartographic research, this atlas explores our planet from space. This third edition, at nearly 200 pages, sets a new benchmark for map-making, covering Earth’s place in the solar system, colour-coded layouts, bird migration, the evolution of life, minerals, disease, agriculture, and more. Published by Reader’s Digest in Sydney and Wellington, this excellent-condition hardcover is a comprehensive record of how we see and measure the world.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY
Frederick Engels (1902)
Price: $60
Before the nuclear family was treated as natural, Engels asked whether it was simply another institution built to protect property. One of his seminal texts, The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, explores how monogamy and private property reshaped family structures. Drawing on anthropologist Lewis Morgan’s studies, this cornerstone of communist theory critiques traditional family models and argues that relationships should be built on genuine affection rather than economic necessity. This first English-language edition, translated by Ernest Untermann as part of the “Standard Socialist Series,” is a much-loved pocket edition. A very good copy with slight staining to the cover, this 217-page volume is essential for readers of socio-political history.
THE WEALTH OF NATIONS, VOL. 1
Adam Smith (1950)
Price: $60
In 1776, Adam Smith asked what makes a nation wealthy, and the answer has been debated ever since. Volume one of two, The Wealth of Nations is a foundation of modern economics, arguing that true prosperity comes from a nation’s yearly output of goods and services. This Everyman’s Library edition (No. 412) is ideal for readers and students wanting to understand government’s role in the economy. Through practical discourse, Smith analyses economic systems and treats his readers as active merchants in the economic market. This 441-page pocket hardcover is in good condition.
PROBLEMS OF LENINISM
Joseph Stalin (1953)
Price: $60
Stalin wrote theory the way he governed: without ornament and with a steadfast eye. One of two major anthologies of his principal theoretical works, Problems of Leninism interrogates the core of Marxist-Leninist philosophy. Stalin’s writing is a surprisingly accessible and compelling read — not only for those interested in communism but for anyone keen on learning about philosophy or political theory. His approach focuses on immediate goals and practical results through industrialisation and collectivism. In good condition, this edition includes a portrait of Stalin and runs to 803 pages.
A HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES
Steven Runciman (1994)
Price: $120
Steven Runciman wrote Crusade history as a Byzantine historian, which meant the emperors of Constantinople and their stories were never far from view. These volumes are among the best for telling the general history of the Crusades, during which zealous Crusaders sought to liberate Jerusalem. Runciman begins with the First Crusade, continues through the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s establishment and destruction, and concludes with the Third Crusade. Across the three volumes, his expansive narrative illuminates how the Crusades affected medieval life. This Folio Society set, in very good condition and housed in a slipcase, comprises three volumes with good detailing throughout, intended for history collectors.
THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND FROM THE ACCESSION OF JAMES THE SECOND
Thomas Babington Macaulay
Price: $400
Thomas Babington Macaulay’s historical writing is not always accurate, but it has never stopped being read — a testament to its enduring relevance. This five-volume Folio Society set of The History of England from the Accession of James the Second offers a sweeping account of a pivotal period of English history. Macaulay’s narrative voice makes these volumes as enjoyable as they are informative. The Folio Society edition is illustrated throughout, bound in fine blue cloth, and housed in a publisher’s slipcase. In very good condition.