Deep Sea Sailing by Erroll Bruce

Deep Sea Sailing by Erroll Bruce lands on the shelves of my shop.

Stanley Paul, 1967, Hardback in dust wrapper.

4th (revised) impression. [First Edition: 1953] Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Diagrams; Maps; Tables;

From the cover: The urge to go to sea in small craft among those who could take their recreation comfortably and securely ashore has become almost a sociological phenomenon. Many have overcome all the difficulties involved and found such satisfaction in tiny boats that they go back to sea again and again for further adventure and surely it is the spirit of adventure that inspires this longing. Such a spirit of adventure runs particularly strongly in the author of this book, who has ventured under sail in most seas of the world. Thus in the China Seas, between hunting pirates, he once started an improvised offshore race at midnight, with half his crew in formal evening dress and the rest in pyjamas; another time he raced an open dinghy, single-handed, across the tide-ripped fury of the notorious Pentland Firth; yet again he capsized a native outrigger canoe amongst sharks off a mid-Pacific atoll. Many of his early ventures were criticised for taking absurd risks with the sea; yet the first edition of this book was criticised by others for an obsession with safety. The fact is that his daring ventures were supported by detailed planning and safety precautions, and today most of the seamanship he recommended 15 years ago is accepted as normal offshore racing practice, while many of the ventures then considered too rash have been safely followed by numerous other seafarers. This book shows the immense amount of thought he has put into the problems of deep sea sailing. It is not only a guide to practical details, but a philosophy as well. When first published in 1953 this book was acclaimed and accepted as one of the most brilliant ever written for yachtsmen. It has been reprinted twice since then. Now the author has revised it and brought it up to date. Much additional material has been included making this new edition an invaluable text book for the new generation of yachtsmen that is growing up today.

Introduction by: Robert Somerset

Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. Dust wrapper slightly edgeworn and a little tanned. Edges of the text block lightly spotted. Text complete, clean and tight.

Black boards with Silver titling to the Spine. 248 pages. Index. 9¼” x 6″.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Exmoor by S. H. Samuel Holroyd Burton

Exmoor by S. H. [Samuel Holroyd] Burton lands on the shelves of my shop.

Hodder & Stoughton, 1970, Hardback in dust wrapper.

2nd impression. [First Edition: 1969] Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Black & White Drawings; Maps [1]; Maps to the endpapers and blanks;

From the cover: Not in the whole of Britain is there more varied beauty in so small a space as can be found inside the boundaries of the Exmoor National Park. Perhaps this endless variety is the secret of Exmoors fascination; it is certainly the reason why everyone has his own special Exmoor, and why unless he knows the moor well he tends to be quite ignorant of other peoples Exmoor.

For some, Exmoor is the sea and the distant views of Wales. Others believe that Exmoor is its eastern borders spectacular tree-filled valleys and Dunkerys purple heather. Others think of Tarr Steps and Winsford Hill. Exmoor is a summer day at Three Combes Foot, and a gale out by Chapman Barrows, so fierce that it is hard to stand upright by the graves of the ancient people. Exmoor is Dunster in August, crowded pavements, souvenirs and St. Georges Church with its miraculous screen. It is Doone Land, and it is a stag belling in October mists; it is barley in Porlock Vale and blackcock lekking at Hawkcombe; wild ponies galloping over the moor; deserted iron mines on the Bade; the Knight family tombs at Simonsbath; cream teas; coach tours; utter loneliness; wild grandeur; postcard prettiness; controversy; hearts ease.

This book is about all these things, because it is about Exmoor. If it succeeds in helping its readers to know and love more Exmoors than they knew and loved before, I shall be well content; for I shall then have repaid a debt a debt I owe to Exmoor, and to those who have walked there with me.

Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. A little rubbing to the edges of the dust wrapper with some short nicks and tears. Previous owners’ inscription to the first blank. Text complete, clean and tight otherwise.

Green boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 192 pages. Index. 9″ x 6″.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Vivarium Life: A Manual On Amphibians, Reptiles and Cold-Water Fish by Alfred Leutscher

Vivarium Life: A Manual On Amphibians, Reptiles and Cold-Water Fish by Alfred Leutscher lands on the shelves of my shop.

London: Cleaver-Hume Press Ltd., 1961, Hardback in dust wrapper.

2nd, enlarged, edition, 1st printing, [First Published: 1952] Illustrated by way of: Black & White Drawings [126];

From the cover: There are notable improvements in this enlarged Second Edition of Mr Leutschers handbook, which describes all the animals amphibians, reptiles and some cold-water fishes likely to be kept in a vivarium, and also certain appropriate aquatic plants.

He has redrawn a large proportion of the illustrations, and in response to requests has included a section on setting up a vivarium, with drawings.

In addition to names, distribution, characteristics, food, breeding habits, etc. he includes suggestions on the type of living quarters, thus greatly increasing the practical value of this standard guide.

The author is extremely well-known as a guide-lecturer, and is a former Secretary of the British Herpetological Society.

Good+ in Good+ Dust Wrapper. Unlaminated dust wrapper a little edgeworn and faded. Price Clipped. Edges of the text block lightly spotted. Pages very gently age-tanned.

Green boards with Yellow titling to the Spine. 252 pages. 8¾” x 5½”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!