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Airship
The Story of R.34 & The First East-West Crossing of the Atlantic by Air
1st Edition Hardcover Book with Dustjacket
By Patrick Abbott
I try to provide large, clear photographs so you can view the EXACT hardcover book and dustjacket you are bidding on (not some generic images). Please be patient while the images load; thanks. There are thirty-eight high-resolution photos in this listing...if they all do not appear, you may have to reload the page (use your "back" or "refresh" button). All photos copyright 2008.
Offered here is the superb first edition hardcover book, AIRSHIP: THE STORY OF THE R.34 AND THE FIRST EAST-WEST CROSSING OF THE ATLANTIC BY AIR, by Patrick Abbott. In addition to being an outstanding read, this book features 74 rare photos, illustrations and charts/maps (see the many images below for just a few examples). I love the gorgeous silver embossed Coat of Arms of R.34: the Royal Arms of Scotland (which the R.34 carried on her bow) on the front board, the endpapers which feature a beautifully dramatic photograph of the R.34 and the title pages which have a wonderful color illustration of the R.34...all are shown in the photos below.
The book itself is in fine mint collectors' condition with absolutely no marks, blemishes, tears, folds, yellowing, inscriptions, etc. The corners of the boards are absolutely sharp with no bumping whatsoever, including the spine. The dustjacket is near mint with only very slight rubbing to the covers. The book and DJ are in exactly the same condition as when I purchased it new at a retail book store over 30 years ago. I have provided many photos of the exact book and dustjacket for sale in this listing, so you can judge the condition for yourself. There are no marks, pen or pencil or inscriptions of any type on the book or DJ. The DJ is not price clipped and is 100% complete. The book measures 8.25" x 10" and was published by Charles Scribner's Sons (New York) in 1975. Printed in Great Britain. 163 pages including: Table of Contents, Forward by Major General Shotter (Engineer Officer of the airship R.34), complete List of Illustrations, Notes, Sources, Appendix and Index. This book will be boxed for the most safe and secure shipment to the winning bidder via USPS Priority Mail (or faster) to reduce handling and transit time to a minimum. This would be a great book for any lighter-than-air or aeronautical history enthusiast or collector. You won't find a better example anywhere!
From the dustjacket:
"On a cold and misty night in July 1919, His Majesty's airship R.34 set out from Scotland on what was to be a record-breaking flight to New York. It was the very first time that an attempt had been made to fly across the Atlantic "the hard way", from East to West, against prevailing winds. Radio communications at the time were unreliable, little was known about weather-conditions over the 3,000-mile route and the ship's engines proved to be unreliable, as well. Chances of survival for the crew of 30 cannot have been much better than even. The living conditions were primitive, at best, the only cooking facility being a large flanged plate welded to the exhaust pipe of one of the motors!
Despite these difficulties, R.34 landed safely at the Mineola airfield on Long Island 106 hours and 12 minutes after take-off, thus achieving a world endurance record. It had been a close thing though; there were only 140 gallons of fuel remaining-enough for about two hours of powered flight at reduced speed! The airship received a tumultuous welcome in New York, the crew were bombarded with invitations and hospitality. When they entered public rooms, everyone stood up. It had indeed been an epic historical journey...illicitly enjoyed by two stowaways, Williiam Ballantyne and a cat named 'Wopsie' (see photo below!) and one that made aeronautical history. Working from painstaking research in the records and the reminiscences of those crew members still living, Patrick Abbott describes in great detail the design and manufacture of R.34, the preparations for the Atlantic crossing and the enthralling day-to-day adventure of the flight itself.
The story really began with the first ascent of a passenger-carrying balloon in 1783; continued when Santos-Dumont flew a lighter-than-air machine along the boulevards of Paris at roof-top height and reached its highest point in the luxurious Graf Zepplin. The first four chapters of this book describe the theory of dirigibles and the many experiments that contributed to their development. The author then relates the design of R.34 to this historical survey and concludes with a summary of the airship and its continuous improvement up to the 'thirties, by which time the future of aviation had already been pre-empted by the airplane."
Win and/or buy more than one item and combine for savings on shipping. From a kid, pet and tobacco-free environment. Please E-mail with any questions. Thanks for looking and please check out my other auctions for many great aviation and aeronautical books...all with low starting prices and no reserve!
PLEASE SEE PHOTOS BELOW AND BID WITH CONFIDENCE. WE SHIP FAST & PACKAGE VERY CAREFULLY; CHECK OUT OUR FEEDBACK. E-mail with any questions and you will receive a prompt reply. All major credit cards thru PayPal, money orders, cashiers' checks (see full details below). Communication regarding payment is required within three days and payment within ten days from the end date of the auction. I reserve the right to reject any bid at any time for any reason. All photos in this listing Copyright 2008. Thank you for viewing this listing and please see my other eBay auctions.
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