Famous Clyde Yachts. 1880-87.

Glasgow: Oatts & Runciman,, 1888. A beautifully illustrated yachting monograph First and only edition of this handsome visual record, this copy in the scarcer publisher's morocco binding (it is usually found in blue cloth). The Royal Clyde Yacht Club, founded in 1856, was the biggest in Britain at the end of the 19th century and Clyde yachts were world famous as pioneers of the relatively new sport of yacht racing. "It will be seen that (for the most part) the period dealt with is that lying between the beginning of 1880 and the end of 1887. Four boats built prior to 1880 have been given a place in our book - namely the Cyprus, Madge, Neva, and Viril - because they were amongst the most notable of the boasts which ushered in the type so popular in after years" (Preface). The fine chromolithographs reproduce a series of watercolours by Henry Shields RBA (1859-1935) showing famous yachts or "white wings". Three of them were America's Cup challengers: the Genesta (1884), Galatea (1886), and Thistle (1887). Folio. Chromolithograph frontispiece bound after list of plates (us usual), and 31 mounted chromolithographic plates, small sketches of Clyde Regatta incidents in the text. Publisher's dark purplish red hard-grain morocco, bevelled boards, smooth spine, covers with four blind rules at head and foot, front cover with gilt yacht vignette, back cover with blind ornamental cartouche, French Curl pattern marbled endpapers, original dark red cloth inner hinges, gilt edges. Ownership inscription on title page verso of one S. C. Graham Robertson, dated June 1888; possibly the Graham Robertson who was Marine Surveyor to the Government of Bengal and in 1894 elected a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects. A few shallow scratches and abrasions to covers, more noticeably to back cover, some skilful recolouring of leather at extremities, scattered foxing. A very good copy.