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Dive into maritime history with this 1954 edition of Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling by Charles F. Chapman—a definitive, fully illustrated treatise on motor boating originally used by the U.S. Power Squadrons, Coast Guard, and yacht clubs.
Ready to guide you through safe navigation and expert boat handling, it’s a classic that belongs on any enthusiast’s shelf.
∙ Item Type: Vintage hardcover book
∙ Size: 12″ × 9″ × 0.6″
∙ Material: Cloth-bound boards, paper pages
∙ Color: Royal blue cover, gilt lettering
∙ Origin or Maker: Published by Motor Boating (Hearst Corp.), New York
∙ Year or Era: 1954 (First American edition)
∙ Genre: Nautical / Boating Manual
Condition
∙ Boards show light edge wear and bumped corners
∙ Text block gilt edges lightly rubbed; pages clean and unmarked
∙ Previous owner’s name penned in pencil on front board (see photo)
∙ No dust jacket; sold as-is—see all photos for detail
Charles F. Chapman, M.E., long-time editor of Motor Boating, was a leading authority on small craft seamanship and navigation throughout the mid-20th century.
Anchor your collection with this indispensable guide to every yachtsman’s craft.
Disclaimer:
About Reading Vintage:
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including rare nonfiction, nautical guides, and midcentury manuals.
Yes. Every photo on this page is the actual item you will receive. Not a stock photo, not a similar copy. What you see is what ships.
Honestly. This is vintage, so expect some age. When I find wear, writing, stains, loose pages, chips, or missing pieces, I note them and show them in the photos. Some marks add character. Some are just flaws. I tell you which is which so you can decide if this is the right one for you.
With care. Old books and fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed so they arrive the way they left me. Careful packing is one of the things buyers mention most in their reviews. Orders of $35 or more ship free.
Probably not. Everything here is one of a kind, and I rarely find the same item twice. Once it sells, it is gone. Vintage does not restock neatly.