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

Updating cart…

Newnes’ Slide Rule Manual

A 1960’s revised edition of the “go to” book on the slide rule produced and published by George Newnes, London.

Octavo, 112 pages of slide rule lovers delight. Covers the … Principle of the Slide Rule; Principle of Logarithms; Using the Slide Rule; Examples; Circular Slide Rules etc. Very good condition albeit a little creasing to the otherwise good dust jacket.

The Preface starts … “The slide rule is considered by many a mysterious instrument requiring years of study before it can be used with facility”.

Within twenty years sophisticated electronic calculators and personal computers made the slide made the slide rule obsolete and an “antique” of the past. Pity … to use the slide rule properly a knowledge of mathematics was required …

A very interesting “modern” curiosity … get your slide rule today.

Slide rules and the mathematics that flows from them.

$25.00

Updating cart…

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

Updating cart…

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

Updating cart…

The Voyage of the Dove [Around the World] – Robin Lee Graham

Robin Graham set sail at sixteen years of age and sailed the World … can there be a better story.

A first edition published by Angus & Robertson in 1972. Large format octavo, 199 pages, nicely illustrated with images from colour photographs and end paper maps. Very good if not better condition.

Setting off from San Pedron in California, alone except for two kittens …. Five years and 33,000 miles later he arrived back home. In between he found love in the Fiji Islands where he met a Californian girl … his drive to sail single handed saw them separate only to meet up again in South Africa … later married (twice) had a baby and lived a new life in Montana. Super sailing super story.

The Dove – the true story of an incredible voyage and a special relationship.

$30.00

Updating cart…

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

Updating cart…

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

Newnes’ Slide Rule Manual

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

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

The Voyage of the Dove [Around the World] – Robin Lee Graham

Tracy Edwards – Living Every Second – First Edition Autobiography 2001

Product Categories