Buy this book on-line

MATHEW, DAVID: : BRITISH SEAMEN. [Britain in Pictures No. 58.]

LONDON.WILLIAM COLLINS,1943.

ISBN No ISBN.

UK,slim 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.[One of only 16 new titles published,1943.] FINE/NFINE. Two separate neat inked owner inscrptns to ffe and no clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp, clean,navy blue background with 2 white line-bordered edges with white lettering and white Admiralty anchor and entwined rope silhouetted vignette/design illustrated front panel of dw/dj,rear panel with publisher's advert for the published titles in the series with minimal foxing spots; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no major nicks or tears present. Really miniscule loss to both head+foot of spine/backstrip of dw/dj and some inevitable but minimal rubbing/flaking to folds of spine/backstrip due - in part - to fragility of the wartime economy standards paper used.Top edges, ubiquitously,but very lightly dust-soiled and lightly aged,fore-edges also lightly aged but brighter and cleaner; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - near pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation.Front panel of dw/dj design repeated to front paper-covered card covers,rear cover plain navy blue with single white line-border edges and white ink printed letters to spine/ backstrip,plain white free endpapers virtually immaculate without any foxing/ spotting or offset foxing from dw/dj inner flaps.A really exceptional copy,given book's age (1943).UK,slim 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,7-47pp [paginated] printed on Mellomex Book paper and includes an intro,8 colour plates,26 b/w illustrations includes 2 b/w vignettes - all illustrations within the text,plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,colour+b/w illus lists/tables. Appears uncommon,particularly as a 1st edn and also in as decent a grade as this - as most offered copies are 2nd impressions, with and without dw/dj,in not much better than Good to VG state,if present. 'Britain in Pictures' (BIP) a comprehensive series of illustrated books devoted to the life,art,institutions and achievements of the British.The majority of the titles,113 of 126 are under the banner of 'The British People in Pictures' series,plus 7 'British Commonwealth in Pictures' titles and a further 6 titles under the 'English Poets in Pictures' imprint - 6 further titles of the 132 listed,were never published.The earliest titles in the series were not numbered, although numbers were eventually added to the jacket spine (but not on the books themselves).Original price was 3/6 (later increased to 4/6,and then 5/-),and a normal print run averaging between 20,000 to 30,000 copies. Bishop Mathew,one of whose ancestors is a famous admiral,himself served as a Midshipman in the 'Tiger' during the last war(WW1).He therefore writes of British Seaman from first hand knowledge and,since he is also an eminent historian,he gives in this book a brilliant account of his subject from the early days down to the present time (1940s). The author writes of our great Naval engagements with force and vividness,of the sailors with deep appreciation and understanding,of the ships themselves with knowledge and love.His style is witty and condensed and the book which may ostensibly be read for profit and information will give at least equal measure of entertainment and will delight all discerning readers by the brilliance with which so vast and complex a subject is compressed,with so little apparent effort,into so small and satisfying a compass. Please contact seller,because of the lighter weight and the value of this item for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. UK,buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch, especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included or FREE. Available UK only,unless indicated otherwise. ** N.B. US customers please be aware: US Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to USA can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate. - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.

UK,slim 8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.