[Rarebooks] fs: Precision instruments (5 books)

[Back Creek Books]

Greetings Booklovers,

We are pleased to offer:
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(No. 7079 )  Brewington, M[arion]. V[ernon]. THE PEABODY MUSEUM COLLECTION 
OF NAVIGATING INSTRUMENTS WITH NOTES ON THEIR MAKERS.
Salem: Peabody Museum, 1963. First printing, Full cloth, Quarto, xii, 1-144, 
[55 plates], 147-154 pages, Black & White photographs. Near fine, No dust 
jacket.
      A vital reference on the subject with all of the important pieces in 
the collection being illustrated with excellent collotype plates. This is 
the original edition, which was limited to 1,000 copies. Brewington, then 
the curator of Maritime History at the Peabody Museum, includes not only 
detailed descriptions and photographs of the instruments, but biographical 
and historical notes on the makers and their firms as well TOY, #2583; 
ALBION, p. 79 (starred item). Bound in original charcoal grey cloth over 
boards with spine lettered and decorated in gilt. Prior owner's nautical 
bookplate on front pastedown, a few minor extremity rubs.    $225.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/7079.jpg
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(No. 7633 )  Buff, Louis F. BUFF & BUFF: SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS FOR CIVIL AND 
MINING ENGINEERS, 1938 (CATALOGUE).
Boston: Privately Printed, 1937. Hardcover, Octavo, 146 pages, Black & White 
photographs, cuts. Good.
      Descriptive catalogue of the precision instruments manufactured by the 
firm of Buff & Buff for 1938. In addition to the detailed descriptions, 
illustrations, prices, and testimonials from satisfied customers, there are 
several interesting historic photographs of well known projects on which 
Buff & Buff instruments were used. Some of these include the Bear Mountain 
Hudson River Bridge, 1924; the Oakland-Alameda Subway, 1927; New York Subway 
Tunnel; the Kill Von Kull Bridge between Bayonne and Staten Island, 1931, 
etc. Interesting typed letter from a surveyor, dated 1945, is laid in. The 
letter describes at length certain improvements to the firm's catalogue. 
Another letter from the same surveyor some 26 years later is also laid in. 
Bound in buff paper over boards with color illustration of a Buff & Buff 
transit laid onto upper board. Boards have extremity rubs and some minor 
soil. Hinges are not broken but the backstrip over the spine is held in 
place by tape.    $100.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/7633.jpg
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(No. 6917 )  Rogers, Francis M. PRECISION ASTROLABE: PORTUGUESE NAVIGATORS 
AND TRANSOCEANIC AVIATION.
Lisboa: Academia Internacional da Cultura Portuguesa, 1971. First printing, 
Wrappers, Octavo, xxxii, 397 pages, Black & white diagrams. Good.
      In the tradition of their great marine navigators, the Portuguese made 
significant contributions in the field of air navigation in the years 
1919-1927. On June 17, 1922 Portuguese aviators Carlos Viegas Gago Coutinho 
and Artur de Sacadura Freire Cabral completed the first air crossing of the 
South Atlantic. Coutinho applied an artificial horizon to a normal marine 
sextant, converting it from a surface instrument into one that could be used 
in the air. Glossy paper covers with a few creases and minor edge rubs. One 
of 1,500 copies.    $100.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/6917.jpg
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(No. 9105 )  Taylor, E[va]. G[ermaine]. R[imington]. and M[ichael]. W. 
Richey. THE GEOMETRICAL SEAMAN: A BOOK OF EARLY NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS.
(London): Hollis & Carter, 1962. First printing, Hardcover, Octavo, viii, 
112 pages, black & white photographs, diagrams. Near Fine in a Fine Dust 
Jacket, Jacket in Mylar protector.
      An interesting and well-illustrated study of the tools and methods of 
used by early mariners when out of sight of land. Examines early compasses, 
the use of charts and tide-tables, the development of the sextant and 
chronometer, etc., and reveals the relationship between practical 
seamanship, mathematics, and astronomy. Published for the Institute of 
Navigation. ALBION, p. 80 (starred item). Bound in textured dark blue paper 
over boards with gilt spine titles and gilt device on upper board. Small 
prior price in ink at top fore corner of front free endpaper.    $75.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/9105.jpg
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(No. 9403 )  Whitney, Marvin E. THE SHIP'S CHRONOMETER.
Cincinnati: American Watchmakers Institute Press, (1985). First printing, 
Full cloth, Octavo, viii, 499 pages, black and white photographs, illus.. 
Very Good in a Near Fine Dust Jacket, Jacket in Mylar protector.
      A comprehensive and well-illustrated history of this most important of 
timekeepers. Many of the earlier books on the subject of chronometers deal 
with the products of a particular maker or company. Includes chapters on the 
origins of chronometry, different designs, making repairs, rare and unusual 
chronometers, American makers, and much more. Also includes a glossary, 
bibliography, and appendices. Bound in dark blue cloth over boards with 
elaborate scene in gilt on upper board, spine titled in gilt. Prior owner 
embossed seal on front free endpaper, original bookseller label on rear 
pastedown. Errata sheet is pasted on verso of last page of index with some 
associated rippling to that leaf. Jacket shows only minor edge rubs. Clean 
and sound.    $125.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/9403.jpg

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Terms:
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Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Rock Toews
Back Creek Books
Post Office Box 3540, Annapolis, MD 21403, U.S.A.
Tel. 410-626-1363 or toll free 877-626-1363 -  Fax. 815-425-8542
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