This fascinating book is like nothing I've ever seen before. It's a book of Pilotage Notes from a gentleman called Robert Corbett Bayldon in the Royal Navy. He joined the navy in 1895 and it's estimated that this book is circa 1900. It features extensive hand written notes on all aspects of pilotage, as well as hand drawn colour illustrations, tipped in maps and diagrams of worlwide currents/winds/buoys. Loose leaf account of his life and career included.
The book is half bound in leather with marbled paper boards. It's in good condition and has obviously been well used, travelling around the world with Bayldon. There is a score mark to the front board, and loss to the paper and leather at the board edges and corners. The text block edges are marbled. There is wear and scratching to the boards and another score mark which has caused a horizontal split to the spine. Splitting to the back joint has been repaired but there is a bit of damage to the head of the spine.
The book is almost half filled, with the second half being left blank. The pages show age toning and foxing but the writing remains clear and bright.
Dimensions approximately 26.5cm x 21cm x 3.3cm.
The book will arrive hand wrapped in patterned paper and string.
I use a range of eco friendly, 100% recyclable jiffy bags and boxes, and whenever possible I use brown paper tape. The green bubble wrap is oxo-degradable and the clear bubble wrap is 100% recyclable. I also reuse boxes when I feel it's appropriate (if the boxes are sturdy enough).