British Seamen - David Mathew, 1943, First Edition

A beautifully evocative 1943 hardback exploring Britain’s seafaring history, richly illustrated with period plates and black & white engravings. Nautical, scholarly, and quietly romantic, the kind of book that feels right at home on a coffee table by the sea.

This copy is made especially poignant by a handwritten inscription dated September 1943, reading:

“To my Darling Daddy, with tons and tons of love from June xxxx.”

A tender moment captured in ink, a reminder of distance, devotion, and the deep emotional ties between home and the sea. A truly heartfelt piece of social history, full of memory and meaning. Finding inscriptions and stories like this, are part of the reason I love my job so much, what a special find. 

Publishing details:
William Collins of London, 1943
Hardback with illustrated plates