Jock of the Islands Early days in the South Seas. The Adventures of John Cromar, sometime recruiter and lately trader of Marovo, British Solomon Islands Protectorate told by himself : With The John Farleigh Wrapper

The sole UK printing published by Faber and Faber, London in 1935. 8vo., brick-red publisher's cloth, lettered in gilt to spine; in the original unclipped pictorial wrapper (8s. 6d. net), featuring a striking colourful design by John Farleigh; black and white frontis photograph of Jock (Cromar), and a further 15 black and white photographs throughout; folding map to rear showing the Pacific islands; The BOOK is in near Fine condition with just some slight pushing to the spine ends with some very light spotting to edges and endpapers; free from inscriptions ; The WRAPPER is in near Fine condition with just a couple of very small nicks but else exceptionally clean and bright; two very discrete internal tape repairs; a wonderful example. John Farleigh's wrapper artwork is striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. Cromar was born in Aberdeen in 1859 and began sailing from a young age. At 23, he joined the Schooner The Forest King, and began recruiting for sugar and cotton plantations in Queensland, Australia. Managing numerous plantations in the Solomon Islands for the majority of his life, he also captained several ships, and in his later years predominantly traded on Marovo island. Jock of the Islands tells of his experiences and adventures on the islands, and is credited with being one of the first works to provide first-hand accounts of Melanisia at the turn of the century, although it is not without some artistic licence; featuring murders, romantic encounters, and even an islander with an eight-inch tail . Extremely scarce in the wrapper, more-so being in such collectible condition. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.