Argonaut Press (London) Checklist, 1926-1939
Friday, Dec 05, 2025
I have always found it extremely difficult to find an accurate list of the volumes of Argonaut Press exploration books as originally published. So with some research I was able to develop the attached document that is accurate as far as I am able to ascertain.
I invite folks with knowledge of these publications to reach out with any adjustments needed. I am placing this here for those that are interested in these beautifully-made books.
Argonaut Press (London) Checklist, 1926–1939Fine press limited editions issued by the Argonaut Press, Westminster, London. Handmade rag paper, quarto format, and edited chiefly by Norman M. Penzer.
| No. | Year | Title | Editor / Author | Notes |
| 1 | 1926 | The World Encompassed | Sir R. C. Temple / N. M. Penzer | 975 copies; Drake circumnavigation |
| 2 | 1927 | A New Voyage Round the World | William Dampier / N. M. Penzer | 1050 copies; maps & illus. |
| 3 | 1927 | Sir John Chardin’s Travels in Persia | N. M. Penzer / Sir Percy Sykes | 975 copies |
| 4 | 1928 | Itinerary of Ludovico di Varthema (1502–1508) | N. M. Penzer | 1050 copies; folding map |
| 5 | 1928 | Discoverie of the Large and Bewtiful Empire of Guiana | Sir Walter Ralegh / V. T. Harlow | 975 copies |
| 6 | 1929 | Travels of Marco Polo & Nicolò de’ Conti | N. M. Penzer | 1050 copies; maps & woodcuts |
| 7 | 1929 | Voyages of the Cabots | J. A. Williamson | 975 copies |
| 8 | 1930 | A New Account of the East Indies (2 vols.) | Alexander Hamilton / W. Foster | 1050 sets |
| 9 | 1930 | Voyages of Christopher Columbus | Cecil Jane | 975 copies; maps after de la Cosa |
| 10 | 1930 | Spanish Voyage to Vancouver (1792) | Cecil Jane | 975 copies |
| 11 | 1931 | Voyages and Discoveries | William Dampier / N. M. Penzer | 975 copies |
| 12 | 1932 | Ralegh’s Last Voyage | V. T. Harlow | 975 copies |
| 13 | 1933 | Observations of Sir Richard Hawkins (1593–1594) | J. A. Williamson | 975 copies; portrait frontis |
| 14 | 1935 | True Description of Japan & Siam (1663) | Caron & Schouten / C. R. Boxer | 1050 copies; folding map |
| 15 | 1938 | Three Voyages of Martin Frobisher (2 vols.) | George Best / V. Stefansson | 975 sets |
| 16 | 1938 | Northern Najd | Carlo Guarmani / Lady Capel-Cure | 975 copies; folding map |
| 17 | 1939 | A Voyage to New Holland | William Dampier / J. A. Williamson | 975 copies; final Argonaut title |
Printed by John Johnson at the University Press, Oxford. Handmade rag paper editions limited to 975–1050 copies.