Maritime

The Man Before the Mast – G Sorrell – First Ed 1928

A story of Twenty Years Afloat by George Sorrell, Edited and introduced with the help of C. Fox Smith.

A first edition published in 198 by Methuen, London. I a reasonable dust jacket which is very rare. Octavo, 153 pages with twelve illustration. Some page edge foxing and occasionally inside, really still a very good copy of a hard to find book.

The author went first to sea on the Brig Isabella, then the Indiana and the Benjamin Buck Green with Cunningham’s Patent Top Sails. Next coasting in the Lancashire Lass, the White Star in the Mediterranean and the whaler “Truelove” out of Hull.

An unusual one the Lady Daly a stern=wheeler on the Murray River, Australia. Then back into the ocean and the Eastern Empire and many more (45 in total) vessels and some great adventures.

A scarce reminiscence from finale of the great age of sail.

$35.00

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Tasman’s Kaart – van Zijn Australische Ontdekkingen 1644 – Dr F.C. Wielder

The landmark book by distinguished cartographic expert Dr F.C. Wielder. Published by Martinus Nijhoff, the Hague, Holland in 1942.

A full study of the cartography stemming from the Tasman voyages. Without the large folding Bonaparte map as nearly always. Notwithstanding that, there are nineteen maps and coastal views reproduced, some double page and one double page with fold-out.

Published in Dutch with a minimal amount of English content … the cartographically inclined can follow the gist without language knowledge … but it obviously helps!

Large quarto, 140 pages, original blue cloth covered boards with paper label. Some age to the exterior, internally very good.

References maps include those from Gerritsz, Tasman’s Journal, Jacobsen, Gilesmans, Vingboons and of course Thevenot … the first near full map devoted to Australia.

Fundamental work on Tasman’s charting downunder

$90.00

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Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner”

Originally published in 1926 this classic sailing account is reprinted here by the Macdonald Maritime History Series, London in 1974.

Octavo, 186 pages, top edge blue, with images from photographs, charts, diagrams and embellishments as per the original. End paper maps. Bound in quarter morocco, gilt line and blue sailing ship motif clothe covered boards. Dust jacket torn to top, and tape mended. A paper wave at the bottom as if it has stood onboard for a time but nothing offensive.

The author Vernon Briggs was only sixteen at the time he left Boston for Honolulu. His observations and penmanship mature well beyond his years. Part journal part narrative Briggs learns sea skills fast and is also a keen observer of his surroundings and the abundance of natural history along the way … including the Amy Turner cockroaches!

Prized narrative onboard the Amy Turner.

$25.00

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The Sea Was Kind – Albert Klestadt

The incredible story of war-time escape from the Philippines to Australia in an open boat, best by the perils of the sea, the Japanese and mutiny.

Published by Kangaroo Press, a new edition 1988. Having been previously published in 1959.

Octavo, 208 pages illustrated with period images, charts and diagrams. A very good copy.

Albert Klestadt sailed with rather dodgy company using a page from a Dutch Atlas as his only chart. Klestadt was a refugee from Germany leaving in the 1930’s for Japan. Just before Japan entered WWII he fled to Manila … but as the Japanese gained ground it was clear that he had to make his escape for Australia … and then the story begins. His inspiration was Captain Bligh.

War-time escape to Australia – a difficult voyage with a happy ending

$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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The Man Before the Mast – G Sorrell – First Ed 1928

Tasman’s Kaart – van Zijn Australische Ontdekkingen 1644 – Dr F.C. Wielder

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

The Sea Was Kind – Albert Klestadt

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

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