Maritime

The Voyage of The Sea Egg – John Riding – First edition 1968

First edition published by Pelham, London in 1968.

Octavo, 171 pages, end paper maps, 20 illustrations. Some ghosting from dust jacket on end papers otherwise a very good copy.

John Riding sailed the under 12 feet long Egg across the Atlantic. What makes it even more remarkable is that John was 6 feet 4 inches and 16 stone.

Pelham was responsible for the whole exploit from the concept of the vessel to the planning and execution of this adventure. Sailing was not plain and he encountered 40 foot waves during a tempestuous storm.

The vessel was built in France at La Rochelle. Sailed to Plymouth for the official commencement of the attempt. On departure into difficult seas in the Bay of Biscay, then round La Coruna to Vigo on the Spanish Atlantic coast. Out into the deepest water following a fairly straight course to the Azores and then the long haul to Hamilton, Bermuda. And a cigarette.

Egg’s more than for breakfast

$25.00

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In Quest of the Sun – The Journal of the “Firecrest” – Alain Gerbault- First Edition 1930

A first edition published 1930 by Hodder and Stoughton, London.

Thick octavo, 315 pages, folding map, 3 other maps and 15 illustrations from photographs. Without the scarce dust jacket, a couple of fox marks, generally bright… still a good copy of an interesting voyage.

The author left France in 1924 and sailed round the world across the Atlantic to New York and then experienced difficulties on the short trip to Bermuda. Off again through the Panama to the Galapagos Islands, Marquesas, Tahiti, Wallis (where he had an unfortunate encounter with a reef) through the Coral Sea and on home round the Cape of Good Hope arriving at Le Havre four year later.

Four Year around the World … French style.

$30.00

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To Beat the Clippers – Alec Beilby – First Edition 1976

A first edition 1976 published by Allen Lane, London.

Octavo, 212 pages with super end paper charts, other charts, diagrams and illustrations from original photographs of the action some in colour. Closed tears to dust jacket now Brodart protected (as are all our dust jackets) … internally very clean.

The record of the Financial Times sponsored competition between for yachts from Great Britain, Italy, France and the Netherlands out to beat the 136 day circumnavigation by the great Clipper Patriarch over one hundred years earlier.

The Appendices extra good in this one … Race Rules; Recommended Course; The Yachts and Their Crews; Comparison of Daily Positions; Finishing Times; Prizes and a good Glossary.

Sailing at its most demanding and rewarding!

$25.00

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Yacht Sails – Their Care and Handling – Ernest Ratsey and W.H. de Fontaine – First edition 1948

A first edition 1948 published by Norton of New York with an sticker for Putnam, London below.

Octavo, 258 pages, with 12 plates from photographs and circa 110 technical diagrams. Dust jacket with a tape strip along top and bottom, internally clean, a good copy.

Described as … A book of useful information for the yachtsman interested in getting the most from his sails – including chapters by Roderick Stephens Jnr on handling head sails and parachute spinnakers.

Other chapters include … recent developments in yacht rigs; light sails – the genoa jib; passage sails and storm canvas; sailcloth and sail making; care and repair; rope and rope work; finding the area and centre of effort; familiar yacht rigs etc

A Sailmakers book on Sails and Rigging

$25.00

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Harpoon at a Venture (In the Scottish Islands) – Gavin Maxwell – 1955 Edition

First published in 1952 this is the 1955 Adventure Library edition of the first work by “Ring of Bright Water” author Gavin Maxwell.

Octavo, 254 pages with six maps, including in end papers 23 illustrations from photographs and eight illustrations in the text.

Maxwell had active service with the Special Forces in WWII. After the war he purchased the Isle of Soay off Skye in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. There he attempted to start a Basking Shark fishery … which failed due to lack of finance.

This book covers his exploits in that regard and provides a perfect picture of the Scottish Islands and the adventurous activities that ensue.

Gavin Maxwell with the Sharks before the Otter.

$35.00

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Capsize! – A Story of Survival in the North Atlantic – Nicolas Angel

A first English edition published by Norton, New York and London in 1980. Published the prior year in French.

Octavo, 176 pages nicely illustrated from photographs with charts etc.

The trimaran RTL-Timex capsized in a storm sailing from Bermuda to New York. The crew, under skipper Alan Gilksman, made the raft and a frantic nine days of gales and high seas ensued. Several ships missed them before they were finally recovered … just in time for some crew members who almost perished.

Frightening North Atlantic Experience .. impossible to put down

$25.00

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The Voyage of The Sea Egg – John Riding – First edition 1968

In Quest of the Sun – The Journal of the “Firecrest” – Alain Gerbault- First Edition 1930

To Beat the Clippers – Alec Beilby – First Edition 1976

Yacht Sails – Their Care and Handling – Ernest Ratsey and W.H. de Fontaine – First edition 1948

Harpoon at a Venture (In the Scottish Islands) – Gavin Maxwell – 1955 Edition

Capsize! – A Story of Survival in the North Atlantic – Nicolas Angel

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