Messing About in Boats
Surgeon Rear Admiral John R. Muir
Published by Blackie & Son, London and Glasgow, 1948. First edition and impression. Bound in the original publisher's hardcover boards, titled in blue to the spine and upper board. Spine faded, ends with bumping, a little soiling to the boards. Internally the block is sound, the pages have some light age toning, previous owner's inscription to the front endpaper, but generally clean and tight. No jacket present. 328pp, illustrated with 8 photo plates, as called for. A charming and evocative account of Surgeon Rear-Admiral John R. Muir's adventures afloat in the years either side of the Great War. Good/None.
Inexplicably out of print since the late 1940s, Messing About in Boats is one of the most charming and evocative accounts of work and leisure afloat in the years either side of the Great War. John Muir describes with humanity and humour the perils of boat acquisition and ownership by the impecunious, and the somewhat mixed talents of the Paid Hand. But his account is more than balanced by the interest and pleasure he took in working and sailing in English waters, from the North Sea to the Bristol Channel, in an age long before the marina, GPS and radio. Muir provides two valuable first-hand accounts of work afloat under steam and sail before the War, while he was on half-paid leave between assignments in the Royal Navy: In the North Sea 'boxing' fleet of trawlers which remained on station for weeks on end, where he served in his medical capacity, and later in the Bristol Channel Pilot service, where he crewed on a cutter, delivering the pilot to incoming ships in all weathers. His unfavourable views of the qualities of the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter as a yacht may surprise its aficionados today, but he relented sufficiently to own two of them, Maud and Freda, which feature in the book.
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MY GRADINGS
New: A new book, never used.
As New (AN): Although a used book, it should appear unread with no flaws, just as when it was sold new.
Fine (F): Should have no flaws, a perfect copy of a used book. Mint: Another term for Fine.
Near Fine (NF): May show a small flaw, such as shelf wear, but nearly perfect and unread.
Very Good (VG): The broadest category for used books, this describes any average used book. May have small flaws, and has probably been read, but should appear overall clean and attractive.
Good (G): Will probably have significant wear or damage, although is still intact. Suitable for reading, but not necessarily a good gift copy. The old saying in bookselling is "good ain't good."
Fair: Another term for Poor or Reading Copy: Heavily worn or damaged, a poor book will be readable but not attractive. Binding Copy: This may or may not be the complete pages of the book, but the binding has been broken or damaged to the point it will need professional rebinding
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