see image for precis

a beautifully produced lavishly illustrated wander through the sometimes chaotic and dangerous but always exciting world of the tramp steamer in search of carrying jobs around the world's oceans.

On land the enterprise would be called "Common Carrier". Visit every ocean in the world in one book.

large format cloth bound. 142 pp. Fine condition but dust cover front carries some tears and creases

Over 200 photos mostly colour

A triumph of historical narrative, brilliantly woven tale of the fearful privations endured by all involved. Villainy and heroism vie for the readers attention.

The depth of research and Fitzsimons' absorbing insights into the minds of those involved make it an awe-inspiring read. One comes away feeling everything that happened has been fully explained. The villains turn out to be not quite those expected.

Prologue Epilogue Bibliography Index and Dramatis Personae add to the impressive tale

613 pp. published 2018 two sections of illustrations in colour. Maps.

Very Good condition with some scuffing of spine. Dust cover Fine.

see image for precis.

A very agreeable collection of stories about the men of the Australasian sea trade, that is primariiy Australia and New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. 

The author cut his teeth contributing  "Ships and Sailormen" as a weekly column for the newspaper and so tells a good yarn.

196pp. hard cover very good condition with some sunning of paper.

approx 30 fine historic photos all B&W

By the same author as "Ships and Sailormen". Signed by Mr John H. Holm

The Holm Line was NZ-based; see the image above for a precis of the story.

260 pp. Fine condition with only some scuffing of the dust cover.

approx 35 photos all B&W

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great job. The ghosts of mariners come alive and she's passionate about Harrison and his clocks".

An important book telling the story of the man who created the chronometer so essential to accurate navigation.

Joseph Harrison faced prejudice and trickery but persevered for 40 years to perfect his  instrument.

A good read and a book to pass around to other maritime fans.

Soft cover 182 pp. GOOD condition. index (illustration shows one of two editions)

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great job. The ghosts of mariners come alive and she's passionate about Harrison and his clocks".

An important book telling the story of the man who created the chronometer so essential to accurate navigation.

Joseph Harrison faced prejudice and trickery but persevered for 40 years to perfect his  instrument.

A good read and a book to pass around to other maritime fans.

Soft cover 182 pp. GOOD condition. index (illustration shows one of two editions)

The histories of five naval heroes of the 19th Century.  Howe, Hood, Sidney Smith, Rodney, Camelford, Charles Napier

Each chapter is a book in itself, telling the story of each man's impressive achievements and moments of genius.

8 portraits, several maps

296 pp.on rough cut art paper, cloth bound in buckram. Good tight condition some sunning of paper, no damage, some scuffing of corners

A fine quality book

Each service during both World Wars produced fascinating volumes of contributions by service personnel. The Anzac Book of 1916 was a first.

The Australian Navy's first two such books were well-received: leading to this, Vol 3

First edition 1944 over 200 contributions including accounts of battles, verse, cartoons, memoirs by men and officers, photos, drawings,  and some fine paintings by war artists. Much history and much good humour.

Unique and valuable. 

200 pp. over 120 illustrations ; photos paintings drawings etchings and cartoons . some very funny

Very good firm condition. Dust cover in tatters. pages toned by sunlight.

Foolscap size soft cover. 

122 pp. over 150 historic photos giving a wonderful insight into the development of one of  the largest municipalities in Sydney, from 1792 to the 1960s.

A collection of fine art photos by a master photographer.

soft cover 184 pp. approx 140 photos mostly B&W. Introductory text and minimal captions.

Very good condition, some rippling of front cover only, due to damp perhaps.

A beautifully illustrated , comprehensive history of the world's greatest ports; their growth and importance in our economic and cultural life today.

Hard cover, dust cover in fine condition. 310 pp. over 300 photos, many in colour. many maps of each port, and of their home cities. Full text.

Very fine condition, preserved in clear plastic wrapper.

All in Good condition (or as new) . All have been chosen for their general good readability and interest to maritime enthusiasts.

Click on a thumbnail to view each title, and hover with the mouse to enlarge the image.

 All are well written and good reading.

note abbreviations HC = hard cover SC=soft cover

pp. =pages.

IP. = illustrated with photos

Select yours below >

The story of Anson's famous voyages around the world in the 18th century, 1730 onward.

Anson became a Commodore in the Royal Navy and was sent on many long voyages of adventure and asserting of the might of the RN

A very readable concise yet amusing history derived from official records and contemporary reports, 

Easily readable large type, 218 pp. some illustrations. hard back, solidly bound, art paper.

Good condition, dust jacket poor.

Wide ranging taking a peek at some aspects of US ships from 17th century up to USS United States 

Entertaining and informative 

282 pp. Index photo sections ad drawings

321  pp. some illustrations prints and photos B&W. Maps

 Fine condition

78  pp. approx 50 photos B&W. Maps.

A virtual instruction manual in sailing the Endeavour replica, accompanied by extracts from Cook's journal

 Very Fine condition

A detailed year by year account of the sad ends suffered by so many ships. All is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

C5 size 148 pp.  approx 40 photos all B&W some drawings some maps, several detailed indexes

A valuable history and absorbing read.

 Fine condition

A detailed year by year account of the villainy inflicted upon so many ships. The whole sad tale is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

 approx 40 illustrations, photos, paintings all B&W some drawings some maps, detailed indexes

A valuable history and absorbing read.

 Fine condition.  C5 size 105 pp. soft cover 

see image for precis

a very readable but authoritative account of the discoveries by a dedicated deep-ocean explorer.

396 pp. approx 40 photos many in colour, Index.

soft cover Fine Condition.

The title says it all but rest assured this is a deeply researched story of the family and their magnificent lighthouses around the coast of Britain. Including the heroic Bell Rock, in the Firth of Forth.  How each was built amid sometimes horrendous sea conditions. 

Photo and drawing section, map. Index and Bibliography for further research

Two copies:

284 pp. soft cover . GOOD condition with some sunning of pages. very slight dent at lower RHS cover

282 pp hard cover Very good condition. dust cover unmarked.

make your choice here: >

The Northern voyages.

A brilliantly readable account of all known voyages across the North Atlantic prior to 1660. Written with great good humour, debunking a few myths along the way.

A thorough history in a professional narrative style. many photos paintings and drawings, maps. full index.

710 pp. hard cover fair condition, dust jacket poor.

A big read for little outlay

An excellent read, combining history of ships the men and the company with many historic photos, not just of ships but of New Zealand in those times.

see image for precis

160 pp.over 50 photos plus maps and paintings in colour

Very Fine condition in clear wrapper

A collection of all 4 volumes of this very readable series.         Each book approx 300 pages in length

Each includes approx 100 illustrations photos (vol IV) paintings and drawings all B&W,  with colour frontispiece   A marine historian's  delight.

Hard cover beautifully patterned and gold=embossed. All are in Fair to Good condition with some scuffing and occasional loosening of binding. No damage.            Weighty tomes each about 1.5 kg.

Offered as a full set at this special price

vol.. 1 to 1697

vol 2 1698 to 1783

vol. 3  1784 to 1814

vol. 4  1815 to 1875

A study of the ships and methods world-wide as at 1947

224 pp. maps drawings and .many photos. D pics of species

hard cover fair cond.

Detailed descriptions of over 60 surviving steam boats , sorted by their home ports, and giving date of construction, builder, propulsion, dimensions etc.

Chapters on river and ports history, traffic, specialised vessels such as the milk boats, making a pleasingly full picture of Murray River navigation

Soft cover, 128 pp. over 200 photos mostly colour. Elegantly-produced in high resolution on matt gloss paper.

New condition.

A book to keep and refer to over time