Non-fiction

Special Maritime Book: On the Wind of a Dream (The Saga of the Solace) – Commander Victor Clark – First Edition 1960

A first edition of this sought after and outstanding voyage account.

Commander Victor Clark found himself released from the Admiralty in London and decided to satisfy his adventurous spirit with a round the world voyage, which was to take six years.

The Solace was purchased, and his adventure began sailing south and west to take the route through the Panama Canal. Galapagos, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Society and Cook Islands. Then to Palmerston Island … a whole story must be written about this strange place … a form of English being the language of the day and many of the people descend from their Birmingham England forefather. Unfortunately, Solace was wrecked here which meant Clark had to undertake a full year stop over, but because of which we learn something special about Palmerston Island .

Published by Hutchinson in 1960 a first edition. Octavo, 308 pages, illustrations from photographs taken on the voyage, end paper maps a bit more informative than most. With the rare, un-clipped dust jacket albeit taped at some time along the top and bottom of spine.

This book commands significant prices around the world … apart from being hard to come by we feel the observations and writing, the events and adventures, the detail on the unusual Palmerston Island and its society make it special and therefore desired by those in the know.

Victor Clark RN in the Solace and what an adventure

$180.00

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Australian Poetry – The Road to Burrandong [A Collection] – George Althofer – First Work – Self Published 1936

George William Francis Althofer (1903-1993) was an Australian botanist, author and poet. He founded the 410 acre Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum specialising in Australian native plants.

This was his first proper publication. Quite a number of the poems had found their way into various rural magazines previously. Self published in 1936. Small octavo, original thick paper wraps, 62 pages, staple bound, with 37 poems of various lengths. Poetry of a good standard, easy on the mind often reflecting on the Australian bush ….

Signed by the poet on the title. Pretty good condition albeit the spine is tired, internally bright and make allowances for a very rare item.

A Voyager favourite rare Australian poetry.

$25.00

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Towards Tahiti – W.I.B. Crealock – First Edition 1955

A very good near fine copy of the first edition of Crealock’s second book on voyaging.

Published by Peter Davis, London in 1955. Octavo, 263 pages plus “Calendar of trip” at rear. Nicely illustrated from photographs from the voyage.

William Crealock sailed across the Atlantic. This is another voyage in 1951 from Panama towards Tahiti hitting on San Blas Islands; Galapagos; Mangareva (for fish and hips!); the Marquesas; Hao and Tahiti. His fellow sailors Tom and Diana (ex fashion model) Hepworth. Superb read great images.

The vessel was the Arthur Rogers a Brixham Trawler and what a beautiful boat she was.

Crealock went on to be one of the great yacht designers from 1960 through 1990’s … built a beauty for actor William Hurt!

Crealock in the Pacific one of the great 1950’s sailing accounts

$40.00

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Tracy Edwards – Living Every Second – First Edition Autobiography 2001

A fine first edition of Tracy Edwards autobiography published by Hodder in 2001. Royal octavo hardback, 430 pages, perfect jacket, illustrated with images from coloured photographs.

What an incredible person, hard to summarise. Tough childhood leaving home at 16 to work in Athens in and around boats. Serious sailing … meets King Hussein who actively encourages her and in time sponsors her efforts. Buys and refits the ocean going “Maiden” and brings together an all female team to seriously challenge the Whitbread Round-the-World yacht Race in 1989, finishing second in class and winning two of the six stages. Becomes Yachtsman of the Year, MBE etc. Later tries for the Jules Verne but is de-masted off Chile. A really readable account of the very likable Tracy Edwards.

After this book was published her life continued its very ups and very downs … another book could be written.

Tracy Edwards nothing stops her …

$30.00

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When the Crew Matter Most [Trans-Atlantic Race - West to East] – Erroll Bruce -1963

First edition of this yachting classic published by Stanley Paul, Lonon in 1961. Octavo, 184 pages, illustrated from original photographs, charts etc. A very good copy, albeit the dust jacket has edge chips and a decent on lower front left. Internally very clean.

Erroll Bruce one of the most successful transatlantic sailing competitor. This book focuses on the 1960 race the wrong way from Bermuda across and north around the Orkneys finishing after 3,500 miles in Denmark.

The first part of the book deals in some detail with the preparations for the race, and then we are off just in time for high seas. Bruce and his crew in the 36 foot Belmore won the small class crossing in 24 days.

Erroll Bruce backs his crew in a gripping reverse Atlantic race.

$25.00

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Manuscript Letter – Italian Astronomer Giuseppe Armellini – Portorecanati – 19th August 1922

Returning proofs and with suggestions of a mathematical nature based on “derivate ordinaries” … ordinary derivatives. Our calculus a little rusty as also our Italian … appears to be connected to Maxwell’s Laws.

Giuseppe Armellini (1887-1958) was born and died in Rome. He was Professor of Physics and Astronomy at several Italian Universities and Director of the Rome Astronomical Observatory for over 30 years. It was in the year of this letter [1922] that he took up his position at the Observatory of the Campidoglio which in 1936 he transferred to Monte Mario. A fire destroyed the Observatory in 1957 … inconsolable Armellini died the following year.

Armellini published several works … the first, in 1911, based on Newtonian principles. Over his career he developed several theories and principles. He will be forever known for Armellini’s Law {in 1922 also] which determines mathematically the distances of the planets from the sun in our solar system. The key to this understanding is the Armellini constant “D” … which is 1.53 but you must start at minus 2 for Mercury. Curiosities exist in its application … from them Armellini is awarded the honour of having predicted the large asteroid/ minor planet Chiron which was not confirmed until well after his death.

Armellini explained the Solar System – Manuscript letter with Scientific content

$140.00

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Special Maritime Book: On the Wind of a Dream (The Saga of the Solace) – Commander Victor Clark – First Edition 1960

Australian Poetry – The Road to Burrandong [A Collection] – George Althofer – First Work – Self Published 1936

Towards Tahiti – W.I.B. Crealock – First Edition 1955

Tracy Edwards – Living Every Second – First Edition Autobiography 2001

When the Crew Matter Most [Trans-Atlantic Race - West to East] – Erroll Bruce -1963

Manuscript Letter – Italian Astronomer Giuseppe Armellini – Portorecanati – 19th August 1922

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