Travel & Voyages

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…

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…

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

Updating cart…

Encyclopedia of Exploration to 1800 – A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the History and Literature of Exploration, Travel and Colonisation from the Earliest Times to the Year 1800.

An as new copy of this great work by the unique Raymond Howgego, published by the equally unique Hordern House in 2003. Part of a greater series of works.

A comprehensive [understatement] reference guide. Large quarto, xv, 1,168 pages, containing 2,327 articles, referencing 7,500 persons or ships, in over 1.2 million words all cross referenced to primary and secondary sources … bibliography of 20,000 works etc. Dust jacket as published, multiple silk marking ribbons …all in super condition.

Raymond Howgego was teacher of physics before he gave that up to become a full-time traveler and travel writer. Possibly put down more words than any other living person. Seemingly can handle almost all European languages and Arabic and probably a few others. He still has an interest in amateur radio and fixing electronic items … we withhold his call sign, but you can find it if you try.

As new Howgego on Exploration the Foundation Volume

$230.00

Updating cart…

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

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

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

Encyclopedia of Exploration to 1800 – A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the History and Literature of Exploration, Travel and Colonisation from the Earliest Times to the Year 1800.

Product Categories