[Rarebooks] FS: Scarce work pertaining to The Motor Launch Patrol (WWI)

[Michael John Thompson]

Offering:

MAXWELL, Gordon S., Lieut. R.N.V.R.
THE RHYMES OF AMOT ORLAUNCH And Other M.L. Odies and Verses.
London: J.M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. 1919.

1st edition. Small octavo, original speckled grey cloth titled, ruled and 
decorated in blue. Frontispiece, decorated title page. The Motor Launch 
Patrol was a large fleet of fast, seaworthy 80-foot ships, the forerunners 
in many ways of WWII's PT boats. The author was the lieutenant in Command 
of Motor Launch 314, and originally presented these poems in public on 
April 21st, 1818 in what became known as the "Zeebrugge Concert", as it 
occurred 2 days before the raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend in which the Motor 
Launch Patrol contributed heavily. This slim volume was published shortly 
after the end of the war. The author's note at the beginning of the text 
reads:  "This little book is published mainly as an outcome of numerous 
requests for copies of its contents, many of which were sung or recited at 
the "Zeebrugge Concert" in the ward-room of H.M.S. Arrogant at Dover the 
night before we went into action; when the amusement the verses caused to 
those who knew that in a few hours they were to set fourth to throw the 
dice with Death was the best compliment they have ever had. They were again 
given, by special request, at the Concert on Zeebrugge Mole on the now 
historic November 11th. Written at odd moments on patrol during the last 
three years, it is hoped that they will appeal to all those who go down to 
the sea in M.L.'s, and to any others who may take an interest in our 
doings." Slight foxing to endpapers, spine a trifle darkened and a few 
small stains to cloth, a solid, very good copy. An uncommonly rare book, 
with no copies listed in the British library, 2 copies listed in the NUC 
(CUV and CVY). it was reprinted in August 1919 under the title THE RHYMES 
OF A MOTOR LAUNCH.  The author also wrote the standard work on the Motor 
Launch Patrol, published by Dent in 1920 under that title.


$250 USD, postpaid, trade discount.



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Michael Thompson, Bookseller
Dunlop Point 1-3
Hornby Island, BC
Canada V0R 1Z0
250-335-1182

http://www.mjtbooks.com