Item #3602289 The Caroline Islands. Travel in the sea of the little lands. F. W. CHRISTIAN.

The Caroline Islands. Travel in the sea of the little lands.

London: Methuen & Co., 1899.

Octavo, frontispiece and numerous photo-plates throughout, three plans and two folding maps; publisher's decorated green cloth with gilt spine lettering;.

The journal of a searcher in a "sea of small islands"

The author was Robert Louis Stevenson's neighbour in Samoa between 1890 and 1893 whilst he was engaged in the cultivation of Australian hardwoods for the nascent forestry industry of that island. Christian was an itinerant soul by nature who sold his land to Stevenson and moved further into Eastern Polynesia in search of pristine island worlds. After returning to Sydney he met Louis Becke 'who told me of an ancient island Venice shrouded in jungle, an enchanted region of archaeology far away in the sea of small islands'. From this romantic beginning Christian moved to the Carolines and produced the present detailed description of island life and culture. The author was particularly fascinated by the monumental 'cyclopedian' ruins on Lele Island and has produced a variety of explanations as to their origin.

The author was Robert Louis Stevenson's neighbour in Samoa between 1890 and 1893 whilst he was engaged in the cultivation of Australian hardwoods for the nascent forestry industry of that island. Christian was an itinerant soul by nature who sold his land to Stevenson and moved further into Eastern Polynesia in search of pristine island worlds. After returning to Sydney he met Louis Becke 'who told me of an ancient island Venice shrouded in jungle, an enchanted region of archaeology far away in the sea of small islands'. From this romantic beginning Christian moved to the Carolines and produced the present detailed description of island life and culture. The author was particularly fascinated by the monumental 'cyclopedian' ruins on Lele Island and has produced a variety of explanations as to their origin.

Condition Report: Corner of title-page heavily clipped with some loss of text, nonetheless an attractive near-fine copy.

Price (AUD): $395.00

US$259.51   Other currencies

Ref: #3602289

Condition Report