West Sea Company

7. Nautical Reference Books

Prices in U.S. Dollars are in GREEN.




7.20  SHIP REFERENCE BOOK.  Jim Gibbs. “Pacific Square Riggers, A Pictorial History of the Great Windhips of Yesteryear,” 1969, Superior Publishing Company.   Hard cover with dust jacket.  192 pages.  Copiously illustrated in black and white with original photos from the era. One of the first books written by this prolific nautical historian whose focus was on ships in the Pacific Northwest from the early 1800’s through the 20th century.  Chapters include:  “Sail Comes to the Pacific, The Whaling Ship of Old Comes to Hawaii and Alaska, The Transition, Of Fleets and Ships, Ships’ Figureheads, Grain Fleet, Irish Pennants.”  There are two information-packed Appendices.  Appendix A is “Commercial Sailing Vessels built elsewhere, but owned on the Pacific Coast,” and Appendix B “Record Passages in the Pacific by Commercial Sailing Vessels.”   A photo index is also included.  Excellent unread condition.  One of our favorite reads of all time.  59


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7.19   MARITIME ART BOOK.  Gervis Frere Cook, “The Decorative Arts of the Mariner,” 1966, Little, Brown & Company, Boston.  Large format, hard cloth cover with dust jacket.  296 glossy pages, profusely illustrated in color and in black and white.  Chapters include “Vessels of the Ancient World, The Vikings, Vessels of the Mediterranean, Ships of the Atlantic, Steamships Vessels of the Inland Waterways, Mississippi Rivercraft, Charts and Maps, Navigational Instruments and Timekeepers, Figureheads, Decorative Ropework, Ship Models, Scrimshaw Maritime art of the Americas and Pacific, Vessels of the Orient” and more.  Effectively this book covers every aspect of the topic.  With good supporting text, its emphasis is on illustrations of the topics.  With a published price of $20 in 1963 this book is worth $193 in today’s dollars.  Condition is good.  The dust jacket shows wear and the covers have foxing.  But the entire content is excellent.  Certainly one of the best books ever written on the topic of maritime art.  RARE.   95


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7.17    LIGHTHOUSE REFERENCE BOOK.  John Murray and James Hyland, “America’s Lighthouses,” 2000, Publications International, Ltd.   Large format hard cover, 126 glossy pages, richly illustrated in full color with contemporary photographs.  A graphic summation of the most important lighthouses in the united States.  Chapters include “Colonial Lights, Post-Colonial East Coast Lights, Lighthouses of the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast Lights and West Coast Lights (including Hawaii).  Easy to read historical and descriptive text.  12 ¼ by 12 ¼ inches.  A beautifully produced reference book of coffee table quality.  49


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7.38  FAMOUS P.O.W. ARTIFACTS CATALOG.  Raisonné of what was surely the most important and complete private collection of its type ever assembled!  "The Lloyd Collection of Napoleonic Prisoner- of-War Artifacts."  This catalog was published by well-respected nautical antiques dealer John Rinadli in September of 1986.  It comprises 116 pages cataloging 257 examples of the finest folk art ever produced by human hands!  It contains the most exquisite examples of bone and boxwood ship models, game boxes with cards and dominos, spinning jennies, straw work marquetry boxes, straw work chests, snuff boxes, chess sets, watch towers, bodkins, pipe tampers, game spinners or “teetotums,” tea caddies, models of fortresses, sewing devices, guillotines, snuff boxes, bone picks, miniature tools, picture frames, straw marquetry pictures and even eating utensils!  The diversity, ingenuity and precise workmanship of the items contained herein are truly mind boggling!  This catalog represents an unprecedented reference on the subject.  New old stock.  19

Ewart C. Freeston author of “Prisoner of War Ship Models 1775-1825,” 1973, Conway Maritime Press, Ltd., London, is THE definitive reference on P.O.W. works.  He writes: It was in 1793 that France declared war on England – a war which lasted until 1815.  As Britain dominated the conflict, French prisoners in English prisons abounded.  By 1796, the first prison especially for prisoners of war was built at Norman Cross.  Several others followed.  While the living conditions were horrid by modern standards, there soon came to be a symbiotic relationship between the incarcerated Frenchmen (many of whom were skilled craftsmen from the province of Dieppe) and their English guards.  The guards soon realized that the skills of the men in their charge could work to the advantage of both.  They began supplying the prisoners with tools, raw materials and a market in which to sell their wares.  So sophisticated was this cooperation, that amongst the materials the guards obtained was genuine gold foil!  The resultant output speaks for itself.

Ultimately the collection was dispersed at auction by the Richard W. Oliver of Kennebunk, Maine on August 7, 1888, as dictated by economic realities.


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7.12  OCEAN LINER REFERENCE BOOK.  Robert Ballard and Rick Archbold, “Lost Liners,” 1997, Hyperion Publishing New York.  217 pages exclusive of index and credits. Hard cloth cover with dust jacket.  Large format 9 by 12 inches.  Profusely illustrated in rich color, spectacular paintings, and black and white original photographs.  This monumental book catalogs the major passenger liner disasters of the 19th and 20th centuries.  Dr. Ballard, famous discoverer of the wreck of the most famous of them all RMS TITANTIC, reveals his expertise on the subject.   Mint, original condition.  45


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7.09  LIGHTHOUSE REFERENCE BOOK.  Michael Rhein, “Anatomy of The Lighthouse, 2000, Barnes & Noble.  Hard cover with dust jacket, 200 glossy pages exclusive of glossary.  Complete with a listing of the world’s major lighthouses.  Profusely illustrated in color.  A very thorough treatment of the subject, with chapters  on The History of Lighthouse Evolution, Weather, Oceans and Coastal Geography, Traditional Lighthouses, Wave-Swept Beacons, Optical Apparatus, Seamarks and Signals, Maps and Glossary.  Large format, 9 ½ by 11 ½ inches.  Content perfect.  19.95


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7.37  TIME-LIFE BOOK SERIES.   At the peak of their publishing prowess in the late 70’s Time, Inc., in cooperation with the editors of Life Magazine, set out to produce a set of books about men, ships and the sea, unrivaled in their research, quality of content and beauty of their illustrations.  The result was the series entitled "The Seafarers."   Each book was authored by world renowned experts in their field.  Extant examples are now rare.  But having the complete series is unheard of!  We are now proud to offer the entire set of these books at LESS than their published price over 40 years ago!  Each book is hard bound in faux leather and is in excellent original condition, 9 ½ by 11 ½ inches.  Combined weight is in excess of 50 pounds!  495/set  Special Packaging

This incredible offering, essentially the “Encyclopedia of Maritime History,” contains the following all inclusive titles:

  1. The Pirates, 1978
  2. The Windjammers, 1978
  3. The Frigates, 1979
  4. The Whalers, 1979
  5. The Men - of- War, 1978
  6. The Great Liners, 1981
  7. The Northwest Passage, 1908
  8. The U - Boats, 1979
  9. The Armada, 1981
  10. The East Indiamen, 1980
  11. The Dreadnaughts, 1979
  12. The Clipper Ships, 1979
  13. The Explorers, 1979
  14. Fighting Sail, 1978
  15. The Spanish Main, 1979
  16. The Venetians, 1980
  17. The Ancient Mariners, 1981
  18. The Pacific Navigators, 1980
  19. The Atlantic Crossing, 1981
  20. The Vikings, 1979

Prior to acquiring this set, we have been selling individual copies for $69, amounting to a combined value of $1,380. 


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7.62  BILL OF SALE.  The “Brig SILAS V. MARTIN of Castine, Maine.”  This pre-printed bill of sale features a spread winged American eagle perched atop a Union shield with classic olive branches and arrows.   The ship is described as having 2 masts, one deck, square stern and a billet head.  The master is R. B. Brown.  The document is filled out in a lovely cursive hand indicating the ownership of 1/32 part for $400 and is dated May 5, 1876.  Four pages total with much information affixed with a small green seal.  14 inches tall by 17 inches wide overall.  Folded in half then again in quarters.  Outstanding original condition with no tears, spotting or losses.  An amazing original ship’s document nearly 150 years old!  69


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7.08  HISTORICAL REFERENCE BOOK.  Edita Lausanne, “The Great Age of Sail,” 1967, Hard cloth Cover with Dust Jacket and Slip Case, 263 pages exclusive of Appendix, New York Graphic Society, Greenwich, Connecticut.  Profusely illustrated in color and black and white, with paintings, period photography, line drawings, maps, charts and several full page fold-outs.   A massive monumental work which will make the cornerstone of any nautical library.  The contents include “The Age of Discovery, The Catalan Ship, The Birth of the National Fleet, The Vasa, Royal Glories, The Dutch Flute (sic), The Victory, The Golden Age, The U.S.S. Constitution, The Belle Poule, The Clipper’s Day, The Challenge, The Preussen, and Appendix.”   This massive book literally has it all!  Unbelievable mint, unread condition after 56 years!   Sold for $30 in 1967, equivalent to $269 today.  250


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7.05  HISTORICAL WHALING BOOK.  Richard Dyer, "O'er The Wide & Trackless Sea. Original Art Of The Yankee Whale Hunt," 2017, The Old Dartmouth Historical Society, New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Large format, hard cover, 354 glossy pages exclusive of index, profusely illustrated in color.  Personally signed and presented by the author, Michael P. Dyer, Curator of Maritime History, New Bedford Whaling Museum.  From the 1750's into the early 1900's, American whaling voyages ranged farther and farther off shore, culminating in circumnavigation of the globe in pursuit of whale oil and baleen for the growing population with its rapid  industrialization.  Within the logbooks, journals, and manuscripts of America's whaling heritage are paintings, drawings, and depictions of the whale hunt rarely, if ever, seen by the public. This book highlights those unique artworks which capture the essence of whaling and its culture, documented real time by its sailor authors.  It represents a comprehensive compilation of whaleman art which will be the standard reference text on the topic henceforth.   The author's  unique position enabled him to study marine history for more than two decades, culminating in his work.  An unsigned copy of this book is on sale at  New Bedford Whaling Museum for $65.  This copy is MINT, unread condition with the author's signature.  49


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7.04  EARLY NAUTICAL CATALOG.  Richard A. Bourne, Hyannis, Massachusetts, “Rare Marine Antiques,” Tuesday, February 27, 1990.  Considered the preeminent American nautical antique auction house from the late 1960’s into the early 1990’s.  This catalog represents the apex of Bourne’s offerings, containing 366 items described in great detail.  Profusely illustrated in black and white.  Of great significance is the fact that prices realized are neatly penned after each descriptive paragraph.  Outstanding, surprisingly mint, condition for a soft cover catalog 32 years old.  The original selling price of the catalog in 1990 was $30.  30

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7.07  NAUTICAL TERMS BOOK.  "The Visual Dictionary of SHIPS and SAILING,"  Edited by Roger Tritton, 1991, DK Publishing Inc., New York.  Hard cover, large format, 59 glossy pages exclusive of extensive index.  Profusely illustrated in full color with absolutely fantastic imagery and detail.  The producers have gone over the top on this one picturing and identifying ever manner of nautically-related term from ancient river craft to modern day diving and everything in between.  MINT unread condition.  An absolute wealth of nautical terminology inside one cover.   There are a couple of nautical terms books, but none so concisely illustrated as this.  If it doesn't sell we might just keep it for our own library! 79


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7.87/13.81  REFERENCE BOOK "The SHIP's CHRONOMETER."  Marvin Whitney.  "The Ship's Chronometer," 1985, The American Watchmaker's Press, Cincinnati, Ohio.  Hard cloth cover with dust jacket, 474 glossy pages exclusive of index.  Exquisitely illustrated with photographs, detailed line drawings and charts.  Mr. Whitney, who served his apprenticeship and the United State Naval Observatory before and into World War II, is recognized as the foremost American expert on chronometers in the 20th century.  This large format book has chapters on "The Birth of Chronometers, Transporting, Handling and Cleaning,  The English Escapement, General Repairs, The Navigating Chronometer Watch, Pocket Chronometers, Some Rare & Unusual Chronometers, Innovative Designs in the Hamilton Chronometer, America's Foremost Chronometer Makers, Other American Chronometer Makers, Glossary, Bibliography and Appendix of Parts for a Hamilton Chronometer.  In short the most comprehensive book ever written on the topic, both historically and technically.  Perfect original condition.  Offered elsewhere from $89.95 to $206 and up!  Our price 89


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7.02  NAUTICAL ANTIQUE REFERENCE BOOK.  Robert Ball, "Nautical Antiques With Value Guide," 1994, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Atglen, Pennsylvania.  Hard cloth cover with dust jacket, 238 glossy pages exclusive of "Value Guide."  Profusely illustrated in black and white.  Here, within one cover, is a compilation of decades of auction results covering the gamete of nautical antique categories.  They include Scrimshaw, Ship Models, Whaling, Nautical Instruments, Nautical Furnishings and Accessories, Figureheads, Sternboards, Billet Heads, Ship Logs, Marine Paintings and more!  Mr. Ball drew heavily from auction results of the Richard Bourne Company on Cape Cod, then the preeminent nautical auction house.  Although clearly outdated with regard to current pricing, the Value Guide is nevertheless very informative as to relative values and the increase or decrease of worth in the past 3 decades.  Excellent, near perfect content.  The dust cover has a couple of minor tears (mended).  39


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7.01   NAUTICAL MUSEUM  REFERENCE BOOK.  Peter Neill, "Maritime America Art and Artifacts from America's Great Nautical Collections," 1988 Balsam Press, Inc., New York, N.Y.   Hard cover, dust jacket and protective plastic sleeve, 253 pages exclusive of index, including an appendix entitled "Additional American Maritime Collections."  As the title implies this large book is a compilation of photographs and descriptions of the holdings of America's finest Maritime Museums.  Included are The Peabody Museum of Salem, The Kendall Whaling Museum (now part of The New Bedford Whaling Museum), Mystic Seaport Museum, The South Street Seaport Museum, The Philadelphia Maritime Museum and The Mariner's Museum.  A total of 13 museums in all.  Richly illustrated in full color on glossy paper.  As new condition.   Not available on Amazon.  59

"What a magnificent, wonderful book!  Seafaring is our American heritage and we are drawn to the art that portrays it, but never before has this book been done.  Assembling the best form the nation's finest museums, Peter Neill has given us a definitive, illustrated survey of maritime America – of the romance of the great ocean ports and the tall ships that served them and the rivers and lakes on which moved the commerce that opened a continent.  Here in one volume is truly a treasury of our waterborne past."  Walter Cronkite.



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7.11 REFERENCE BOOKS.  An invaluable pair of reference books documenting "The Mathematical Practitioners of Hanoverian England 1714-1840" compiled by E. G. R. Taylor, 1966, the Institute of Navigation at the Cambridge University Press, England.  This ground breaking work begins with a narrative of the great instrument makers in England beginning in 1714 until the demise of the cottage industry beginning in 1820.  By far the most valuable content is the list of makers, dates and their production during that timeframe.  Hard cloth cover, 483 pages exclusive of index.  This book is in mint,  new condition.  As an added bonus it comes with a supplemental publication written by noted English scientific instrument dealer and authoress Harriet Wynter who published "An Index to The Mathematical Practitioners," in 1980.  This soft cover index of 23 pages lists the makers alphabetically with their dates of manufacture then cross references their entries in the main book.  Also in perfect condition.  Both for only 49



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7.97 CLIPPER SHIP CARD REFERENCE BOOK.  Mint, unread copy of the highly touted State Street Trust Company's edition of "Yankee Ship Sailing Card, Vol. 3" published in 1952.  Soft cover, 102 glossy pages, profusely illustrated.  This final edition depicts no less than 41 of the exceptionally colorful and charming handbills issued by shipping companies soliciting business in the 1850's and 60's for their clipper ships. This was during the height of the California Gold Rush and westward expansion of the burgeoning United States in those wild, unprecedented times.  This compendium beautifully captures the vibrancy and history of that era embodied in these graphic masterpieces. Produced in faithful color and detail of the originals, this is not only an historic representation of the past, but a pleasing look into the colorful beginnings of innovative American advertising – the groundwork of Madison Avenue.  Also contains an historical section entitled "The Story of Clipper Ship Sailing Cards."  As new.  Scarce.  35



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7.83 IMPRESSIVE REFERENCE BOOK.  Peter Ifland, "Taking the Starts," 1998, The Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Virginia.  1st Edition.  Hard Cover with dust jacket, 209 pages exclusive of index.  Exquisitely illustrated in color with numerous period black and white line drawings, diagrams and bookplates, each of which is listed in its comprehensive "List of Illustrations."  Certainly the best historical and explanatory treatise ever written on the history and use of marine navigational instruments.  Beginning in the 1970's, while working as an executive for a major consumer products company, Mr. Ifland, with a doctorate in biochemistry, embarked on his lifelong hobby of collecting marine navigational instruments.  The hobby evolved into a passion and culminated in his full-time dedication to compiling this book.  The book begins chronologically with the chapter entitled "Evolution of Celestial Navigation Instrument:  A Short History."  It is followed by chapters on the "Longitude by Lunar Distance, the "Birth of the Sextant, Instrument Form and Function, Scales, Verniers and Micrometers, Optics:  Mirrors, Prisms, Filters, Sighting Tubes and telescope, Artificial Horizons, Reflecting Instruments, Finding Distance by Angles, and Aircraft Celestial navigation Instruments."   These are followed by the Epilogue, a Patents Appendix and Glossary.  The quality and content of this work cannot be overstated.  Certainly a favorite reference of ours which we turn to frequently.  New, unused condition.  119

In a great act of generosity, shortly before his death Mr. Ifland donated his entire collection to the Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Virginia.  Many of the items depicted in this book were purchased from West Sea Company in the 1980's and 90's.


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7.57   EXTENSIVE MUSUEM CATALOG.   A fine and very complete compilation of the collection of instruments in what can arguably be considered the greatest maritime museum in the world -- the National Maritime Museum Greenwich.  This voluminous compendium covers every form of scientific instrument with a specific emphasis on maritime and navigation.  It is divided into 19 sections.  They are:

1 - Armillary Spheres
2 - Artificial Horizons
3 - Astrolabes, Astronomical and Mariners'
4 - Astronomical and Optical Instruments
5 - Backstaves (Davis Quadrant)
6 - Charts, manuscript
7 - Charts, printed
8 - Circles, Reflecting
9 - Clocks, chronometers, chronographs and watches
10 - Compasses
11 - Computing Instruments
12 - Cross-staves
13 - Depth sounding equipment
14 - Dip circles
15 - Drawing instruments
16 - Globes
17 - Hour glasses
18 - Lodestones
19 - Logs (speed measurement)

Compiled from 1970 to 1973, this publication was distributed to all major nations at the time regardless of national barriers, including 24 different museums in the U.S.A. alone!

The format is as follows:
Date                Maker/Signature                    Dimensions               Ref. No.              Remarks

This raisonné is remarkable in its depth and scholarly treatment of the subject matter.  Presented  in a loose leaf binder.  All content is excellent.  Heavy.  Several hundred pages.  Absolutely a wealth of information for the naval historian/collector. A real must for the serious reference library.  199

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7.56  REFERENCE BOOK.  Kornelia Takacs, "Compass Chronicles," 2010, Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, PA.  176 pages hard cover with dust jacket.  Profusely illustrated in color with many technical drawings and advertisements faithfully reproduced in black and white.  The young authoress has done an exceptional job of researching and documenting in words and pictures the nature of and the evolution of pocket compasses, particularly those of American and European origins.  The wealth of information on the subject contained here really defies imagination.  Give Miss Takacs an A+ for this effort.   Cover price $39.99.  This copy is a brand new, mint, untouched.  29


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4.63/7.51  MONUMENTAL BOOK.  Magnificent “collector’s edition” of one of the most important literary works in American history, Herman Melville’s “MOBY DICK or The Whale.”  This special edition was printed in very limited numbers for The Easton Press, Norwalk, Connecticut in 1977.  Hard cover, illustrated, containing 615 pages it is of the highest quality.  The publisher’s page reads, “This book is printed on archival quality paper especially milled for this edition.  It is acid-neutral and conforms to all guidelines established for permanence and durability of the Council of Library Resources and the American Nation Standards Institute.”  The title page reads, “MOBY DICK, Or THE WHALE By HERMAN MELVILLE With An Introduction By Clifton Fadiman and Illustrated by Boardman Robinson.  Bound in Genuine Leather.“  The leather cover is beautifully embossed with gold in the traditional manner.  The end covers are silk-lined.  The end pages of the entire book are gilded.  The content is the exact work of this American classic.  Melville originally wrote “Moby Dick” in 1851.  It quickly gained notoriety as one of the most interesting novels of that era.  Embodied here is an exquisite compilation of that work in an absolutely highest quality presentation.  As new, unread condition after 42 years!  SOLD



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7.50  REFERENCE BOOK.  Maya Hambly, “Drawing Instruments 1580-1980,” 1988, Philip Wilson Publishers, Ltd., London.   Hard cover with dust jacket, 193 glossy pages profusely illustrated in color and black and white, exclusive of index.  In this beautifully pictured and comprehensively-written “encyclopedia” of drafting Ms. Hambly begins with “The History of Drawing Instruments and their Makers.”  She continues with “Types of Instruments”:  Straight Lines, Circles and Dividing, Curves, Squaring and Ruling, Measurements, Copying Enlarging and Reducing, Proportion and Ratio, and finally Perspective Aids.  Virtually every form of instrument in this genre is covered, described in detail and rendered in actual photographs and precision diagrams.  The extent and diversity of content is nothing short of fantastic!  Untouched, as new condition.  69

Prices for this book on Amazon range from $47.98 to $94.19.  All are described as “used.”



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7.46  REFERENCE BOOK.  Clarence P. Hornung, “Treasury of American Design And Antiques,” 1976, Harry N. Abrams Publishers, New York, Two Volumes In One.  This large format  hard cover book with original dust jacket is, as the title implies, bigger than the average single book.  It contains 828 pages exclusive of the artist index and topical index.  It is profusely illustrated on each and every page with literally thousands of examples of American objects with  folk art and production origins.  Topics include ship figureheads, ship carving, tobacconists advertising, signs from shops and taverns, carriages, firefighting, glassware of all types, candlesticks and lamps, chairs, chests, all manner of furniture, mirrors, clocks and other time pieces.  The presentation is exceptional.  The accompanying explanatory text is scholarly and comprehensive.  In short, this book has it all!  12 by 9 inches and 2 ½ inches thick weighing a massive 12 pounds!   Excellent original condition exhibiting minimal use with a taped reinforcement inside the front cover.  The exterior of the book has a professional protective plastic sleeve over the dust cover.  A self-described treasure.   If it isn’t pictured here, it isn’t American!  79 Special Packaging

An endorsement on the cover reads, "A work of extraordinary beauty... which is a virtual encyclopedia of American folk art. Clearly going to be indispensible to both the professional public, antique dealers, historians, and others -- and the large number of amateurs who have more than a casual interest in the field." The New York Times


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7.32  NAUTICAL ANTIQUES REFERENCE BOOK.  Jon Baddeley, “Nautical Antiques & Collectibles,” 1993, Sotheby’s Publications, London.  Hard cloth boards with dust jacket and protective plastic cover, 156 pages exclusive of index.  This is certainly the best and most comprehensive of late 20th century books on the topic.  Mr. Baddely, a graduate in engineering of Manchester University joined Sotheby’s as a specialist in the Collectors’ Department in 1975.  This work is the culmination of his more than 20 years association with the finest maritime antiques to come to market during that time frame.  This book offers a very through examination of the topic including Ship Models, Navigational Instruments, Fixtures and Fittings, Marine Arts and Crafts, Ship Portrait Painting, Ocean liner Artifacts and Ephemera.  Two additional chapters deal with Caring for Marine Collectables and Marine Collections Open to the Public.  Within the broad topics are a very wide and comprehensive coverage of sub-topics.  As an example, included are P.O.W.  models, half hulls, instruments for determining the Longitude, figureheads, ships’ hardware and diving, scrimshaw, sailors’ wools, ship portrait techniques by country, and ocean liner relics, among many others.   Profusely illustrated in color and in black and white with detailed captions.  While not intended for the advanced collector in a specialized field, this reference book is ideal and a must for the beginning collector or the dedicated nautical antique aficionado.  NEW.  This book lists for $80.  Amazon offers new copies at $45 without the plastic cover.  Our price 39



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7.85 The Mariners' Museum in collaboration with Anthony J. Peluso, Jr., "The Bard Brothers, Painting America Under Steam and Sail," 1997, Harry N. Abrams Inc., New York. 171 pages hard bound with dust jacket. Before the railroads, the greatest innovation in American transportation was the steamboat pioneered by Robert Fulton in 1807. Throughout the 19th century, much of what is known about how those steamboats looked comes from the meticulously detailed paintings of the artistic brothers John and James Bard. This pictorial account of the Bard brothers' output is scholarly written by noted American marine painting expert, Anthony Peluso. The full color illustrations are spectacular including several incredible close-ups, ship photographs, and sketches. Complete with an Appendix listing all known Bard paintings by subject, medium, size, date and location. 8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches. New old stock. 49


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7.28  IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT REFERENCE BOOK.  Harriet Wynter and Anthony Turner, “Scientific Instruments,” 1975, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York.  Hard cloth cover, 235 glossy pages exclusive of index.  Dust jacket with protective plastic cover.  Profusely illustrated in color and black and white with detailed photos, old engravings and extracts from antique scientific publications.  Considered by many to be the “bible” of books covering scientific instruments, this large format (9 x 12 inches) book is comprehensive in the scope of the instruments it covers, yet is not overly technical.  Its contents are divided into the five main branches of physical science: Astronomy, Navigation, Time, Surveying and Optics.  As new condition with no issues. New copies of this book are listed on Amazon for $278.35  Without a doubt the cornerstone of ANY library concerned with science and navigation.  89


Interestingly, Harriet Wynter began her professional life a well-known madame to members of the British Parliament.  In her later years she excelled as an authority and dealer in scientific instruments.  Anthony Turner was an independent scholar who worked on developing the scientific instrument collections of several museums and institutions and who was a prolific author of several books and articles on the topic.


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7.13  SCRIMSHAW REFERENCE BOOK.  Richard Malley, “Graven by the fishermen themselves, Scrimshaw In Mystic Seaport Museum,” 1983, Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut.  Soft cover, 152 pages exclusive of index.  A comprehensive, well-documented compilation of one of the finest collections of scrimshaw in the world.  Mr. Malley begins with an introduction to scrimshaw, its history, methods and materials.  He then methodically records the examples in the collection categorized by decorative and functional forms.  This book was written prior to the groundbreaking research work stemming from the Kendall Whaling Museum’s Scrimshaw Symposiums, whereby many up to then anonymous scrimshanders were identified.  The mystic collection holds many such important objects, now lately identified.  Ahead of its time, the book contains 3 Appendices which exhaustively document the collection by type, attribution, vessel, people and places.  Profusely illustrated in high resolution black and white photographs with a couple of full color plates.  Excellent original condition.  The spine is slightly sun faded.  Content is perfect.  29


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7.84

7.84  INSTRUMENT REFERENCE BOOK.   The highly sought after original English edition of Jean Randier’s “Marine Navigation Instruments.”  First published in France in1977 by Creative Publishing Marine, the English version was published by John Murray, London in 1980.  This scarce book has a hard cloth cover with dust jacket.   219 pages profusely illustrated in color and black and white.  Although many books on the topic of scientific instruments have ensued, this edition was and continues to be the finest available, solely dedicated to the instruments used by mariners.  The broad topics covered are dead reckoning, coastal piloting, celestial navigation, time at sea, hydrography, marine and terrestrial astronomy, and meteorology.  Within these topics there is a strong emphasis on quadrants, sextants, compasses and devices to measure time and distance.  Excellent original condition.  End pages slightly toned, content perfect.  95


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7.79


7.79  NAUTICAL ANTIQUE REFERENCE BOOK.  Marian Klamkin, “Marine Antiques,” 1975, Dodd Mead Company, New York.  Hard cloth cover with dust jacket, 233 pages exclusive of index.  Profusely illustrated in black and white with a center section containing color plates.  Published in 1975, this book is the first of many to subsequently be written on the topic.  It is surprisingly thorough, dealing with the topics of “Logs and Journals, Instruments, Figureheads and other carvings, China Trade, Clipper Ships, Scrimshaw, Ship Models, Commemoratives, Furniture, Lighting, Seaport Souvenirs, Naval Ceramics, Decorative Arts, Steamship Relics and Yachting.”  There are also two very informative chapters on “Care and Repair of Marine Antiques” and “Fakes, Reproductions and Recently Made Collectibles.”  This is followed by two appendices listing “Maritime Museums of the World” and “Ship Restorations and Replicas.”  In short, this book has it all!  As new condition.   49


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Description: 7.82


7.82 NAUTICAL ANTIQUES  REFERENCE BOOK. Jacqueline L. Kranz, "American Nautical Art and Antiques," 1975, Crown Publishers, New York, 241 pages, hard cover with dust jacket. This is one of the best early books on the topic of nautical antiques, written especially with the American collector in mind. Ms. Kranz effectively and thoroughly covers the entire gamut of nautical antique collectibles from hardware to ships’ carvings and scrimshaw to fine art, with everything in between! This book is profusely illustrated with black and white photographs drawn from a wide range of notable public and private collections at the time. A center section contains color plates. Unquestionably a foundation reference for any nautical antique library. Near mint condition.  69


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7.73 REFERENCE BOOK. Jean Randier, "Nautical Antiques for the Collector," Doubleday & Co., Garden City, New York, 1977, 223 pages, hard cover. Long out-of-print, this book is widely recognized as the pioneering reference on the topic of nautical antiques. Chapters include "Scale and Other Models, Paintings, Nautical Books, Navigational Instruments, Equipment and Ornamentation of Ships, Arts and Crafts on Board Ship" and a chapter entitled "Inspiration from the sea" which deals with "Models, Engraving and Sculpture, Scrimshaw and Works by deep-sea sailors." Profusely illustrated with numerous color plates, line drawings and diagrams. Complete with original dust jacket! Mint condition. A rare opportunity to own the most highly prized book ever printed on the nautical antiques -- the centerpiece of any serious library. 79


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7.58  CLIPPERSHIP REFERENCE BOOK.  Carl Cutler, “Greyhounds of the Sea,” 1984, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, hard bound cloth cover with dust jacket, 660 pages exclusive of index.  Originally published in 1930, this American classic has long been recognized as the definitive reference documenting the heroic, but short-lived era of the American clipper ships.  This third edition brings additional data heretofore unpublished in the two earlier versions plus several color plates.  The main content deals with the glamorous history of those sleek ocean carriers which sacrificed capacity for all important speed.  This book has 6 very informative appendices:  I. 500 Records of American Ships,  II. Ships, Measurements, etc.,  III. American Voyages to China/England 1850-1860,   IV. California Voyages,  V. Flying Cloud, N.Y. to San Francisco 1851, VI. Ship Andrew Jackson, N.Y. to San Francisco.  10 by 7 ½ inches and nearly 2 inches thick!  Slight wear to dust jacket.  Content and cover as new.  A wonderful reference for the nautical library.  59


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7.52  REFERENCE BOOK.  Carl Crossman,  “The China Trade,” 1972,  Pyne Press, Princeton New Jersey, First edition, 270 pages, hard cover with dust jacket and protective cover.  The first of 2 books authored by this well-respected expert, in large format and well illustrated in color and black and white.  Not just another “picture book,” this exhaustive reference contains detailed studies of Chinese exports beginning with the famous artists of 18th and 19th century, followed by the incredible work of the Chinese artisans in furniture, lacquerware, carving, fans, ivory, silver, pewter and household goods.  This book is written in a scholarly fashion with extensive footnotes and references following each chapter.  The chapter on silver is accompanied by detailed photos of marks.  There are also very informative appendices including a list of Chinese artists, a section on how to identify Chinese ports, and how to date views of the major trading port Canton. 9 ½ by 11 inches.  Excellent condition.  An invaluable reference!  59

 

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7.38  FAMOUS P.O.W. ARTIFACTS CATALOG.  Raisonné of what was surely the most important and complete private collection of Napoleonic War prisoner artifacts ever assembled!   This catalog was published by well-respected nautical antiques dealer John Rinadli in September of 1986.  It comprises 116 pages cataloging 257 examples of the finest folk art ever produced by human hands!  It contains the most exquisite examples of bone and boxwood ship models, game boxes with cards and dominos, spinning jennies, straw work marquetry boxes, straw work chests, snuff boxes, chess sets, watch towers, bodkins, pipe tampers, game spinners or “teetotums,” tea caddies, models of fortresses, sewing devices, guillotines, snuff boxes, bone picks, miniature tools, picture frames, straw marquetry pictures and even eating utensils!  The diversity, ingenuity and precise workmanship of the items contained herein are truly mind boggling!  This catalog represents an unprecedented reference on the subject.  New old stock.  19

Ewart C. Freeston author of “Prisoner of War Ship Models 1775-1825,” 1973, Conway Maritime Press, Ltd., London, is THE definitive reference on P.O.W. works.  He writes: It was in 1793 that France declared war on England – a war which lasted until 1815.  As Britain dominated the conflict, French prisoners in English prisons abounded.  By 1796, the first prison especially for prisoners of war was built at Norman Cross.  Several others followed.  While the living conditions were horrid by modern standards, there soon came to be a symbiotic relationship between the incarcerated Frenchmen (many of whom were skilled craftsmen from the province of Dieppe) and their English guards.  The guards soon realized that the skills of the men in their charge could work to the advantage of both.  They began supplying the prisoners with tools, raw materials and a market in which to sell their wares.  So sophisticated was this cooperation, that amongst the materials the guards obtained was genuine gold foil!  The resultant output speaks for itself.

Ultimately the collection was dispersed at auction by the Richard W. Oliver of Kennebunk, Maine on August 7, 1888, as dictated by economic realities.

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7.37 TIME-LIFE BOOK SERIES.  At the peak of their publishing prowess in the late 70’s Time, Inc., in cooperation with the editors of Life Magazine, set out to produce a set of books about men, ships and the sea, unrivaled in their research, quality of content and beautiful illustrations.  The result was the series entitled "The Seafarers."   Each book was authored by world renowned experts in their field.  From this series we are now proud to offer some of those books at less than their published price over 30 years ago!  Each book is hard bound in faux leather and is in excellent original condition.  9 ½ by 11 ½ inches. 

 

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a.  THE GREAT LINERS.  Melvin Maddocks, 1978.  The books starts out with several impressive full color plates of famous ocean liner posters.  It goes on to fully document the infancy of the age of steam and what it meant to ocean passenger liner service for the next 130 years.  Names like Titanic, Lusitania, Normandie, Queen Mary, Leviathan, are but a few.  A super, SUPER book for the price!   19.95


 

c.  THE EAST INDIAMEN.  Russell Miller, 1980.  Hard cover, 173 pages exclusive of index.  When a Portuguese merchantman entered the harbor of Dartmouth , England in 1592 laden with  exotic, rich treasures from the Oriental, the spark which ignited the “China Trade” was lit.  In the ensuing 300 years England’s  East India Company dominated Britain’s (and indeed the world’s)  pursuit of that very lucrative ocean commerce.  This book documents that glorious time in a most effective way in high quality photographs, drawings and informative text.  19.95


7.31 SHIP CARVING REFERENCE BOOK. Long recognized as the most comprehensive and definitive book on the topic of early American decorative ship carving, this groundbreaking book was written by renown scholar and Curator of the Peabody-Essex Museum, M. V. Brewington. Published by the Barre Publishing Co., Barre, Massachusetts in 1962, it is soft cover with 164 pages exclusive of index. The cover and frontispiece are adorned with the most splendid carving of legendary American Indian maiden Pocahontus, attributed to William Rush (ca. 1810). The contents are no less spectacular. Mr. Brewington takes us through the history of ship carving in American chronologically from the Colonial era, Independence, Frigates & Packets, the Clipper ships, and finally the end of the art as it dwindled in the early 20th century. This book is scholarly-written and profusely illustrated with old photographs, original carver sketches, line drawings and photographs of extant examples of the marine carver's art. Content fine.  39

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7.22 REFERENCE BOOK. Philip N. Thomas, "British Figureheads & Shipcarvers," 1995, Waine Research Publications, Wolverhampton, England. 115 pages inclusive of informative indices, hard cover with dust jacket. The author divides the topic of ship carving into two groups: Merchant ship carvings and their carvers, and Naval figureheads and their carvers. This distinction is real and the author explains why in informative text with numerous black and white photographs, color photographs and line drawings. Each section contains an extensive biography of every known carver. Countless figureheads are depicted, described and identified with their vessels' names, when known. THE one and only comprehensive book on the topic of British ship figureheads and the men who carved them. Absolutely invaluable source material. New condition. 49

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7.18 REFERENCE BOOK. Gordon Newell and Joe Williamson, "Pacific Steamboats, A Vivid Pictorial History of the West Coast's Boats and Boatmen," 1968, Superior Publishing Co. A Division of Bonanza Books, New York. 198 pages exclusive of photo index, hard cloth cover with dust jacket. This collaborative effort between ship historian Newell and marine photographer Williamson coalesces to bring the reader a comprehensive photographic history of virtually ever sidewheeler and steam ferry that ever plied the waters of the West Coast! Profusely illustrated in black and white with detailed captions, Newell's narrative writing style adds much to the graphic depiction of these vessels and the men who manned them. The photographic index is a very valuable research tool in it own right. Excellent condition, dust jacket with slight wear only. 49

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7.10 REFERENCE BOOK. Gloria Clifton, "Dictionary of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851," 1995, Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd, London, 331 pages inclusive of index, hardcover with dust jacket. Without a doubt this is the most useful reference book in our library. We turn to it time and again, using it virtually every week for this presentation. Within these pages Ms. Clifton, a curator at the prestigious National Maritime Museum Greenwich, in conjunction with world renown scientific instrument authority Gerard L'E Turner, has compiled the most comprehensive listing of makers to date. Each entry includes the maker's dates, family ties, addresses, type manufacture, associations and references. Many are even accompanied by photographs of their trade labels. Indispensable! New. 195

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7.31  M.V. Brewington, “Shipcarvers of North America,” 1962,  Dover Publications, New York, 164 pages exclusive of index, soft cover with 134 black and white illustrations.  Essentially the “Bible” of decorative ship carving, from figureheads to sternboards.  Complete with a comprehensive list of carvers, their location and time period.  An invaluable reference!  39


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7.03  KENNEDY SCRIMSHAW COLLECTION.  Clare Barnes, Jr. “John F. Kennedy Scrimshaw Collector,” 1969, Little Brown & Company Boston.  129 pages, hard-bound cloth cover with dust jacket.  Profusely illustrated with all color plates.  A catalog resonnaie of the President’s ground breaking and very famous scrimshaw collection, now held in the Kennedy Library, Boston.  9 by 11 ½ inches.  As new condition.  49

Advertised on Amazon in “like new” condition for $52.95.


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7.16 Elbert S. Maloney, "Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship & Small Boat Handling," 1983, Hearst Marine Books, New York. 610 pages exclusive of index, hard cover. This monumental book basically contains everything you need to know to become the captain of a yacht! There are 27 chapters with 6 appendices. Copiously illustrated. Just a few of the titles are: Nautical Terms, Equipment for Boats, Rules of the Road, Seamanship, Weather, the Mariner's Compass, Aids to Navigation, the Nautical Chart, Tides and Current, Piloting, Boat Management, etc., etc. An absolute wealth of information contained in a single large format book! Excellent condition. 29

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7.23 Jonathan Rutland, "All Color World of Ships," 1978, Octopus Books, Ltd., London. 102 pages exclusive of index, hard cover with dust jacket. As the name suggests, this large format book is beautifully illustrated containing paintings, photography and drawings of ships from ancient times to the present day. Factual text. 12 by 9 1/2 inches. Excellent condition. 29

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7.33 Jim Gibbs and Joe Williamson, "Maritime Memories of Puget Sound," 1987, Shiffer Publishing, West Chester, Pennsylvania. 184 pages, soft cover. A rare collaborative effort by Gibbs and Williamson, the latter being the author of several ship reference books. Here these knowledgeable marine historians have compiled a photographic record of maritime events on the unique waters adjacent to the port of Seattle in the second half of the 1800's on into the early 20th century. Very well written in an informative narrative style. As new. 39

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