Clipper Ship by John O’Hara Cosgrave II

Clipper Ship by John O’Hara Cosgrave II is an attractive illustrated history of the magnificent American clipper ships that became famous for their speed, elegance and long-distance ocean voyages during the nineteenth century. Subtitled America’s Famous and Fast-Sailing Queens of the Sea, the book captures the romance and technical achievement of an era when sailing vessels competed across the world’s major trade routes.

Written and illustrated by Cosgrave, Clipper Ship combines accessible historical narrative with striking artwork showing clipper ships under sail, their rigging, construction and maritime setting. It explores the development of these fast vessels and the commercial pressures that encouraged shipbuilders to produce increasingly streamlined and powerful sailing ships capable of carrying cargo over vast distances at remarkable speed.

Published by The Macmillan Company in 1963, this is the first printing and was issued as part of the Frontier West Books series under the general editorship of Glen Dines. The large landscape format gives the illustrations considerable impact and makes Clipper Ship particularly appealing as both a reference work and a display piece.

An excellent title for collectors interested in maritime history, sailing ships, traditional shipbuilding, naval architecture, American maritime heritage and vintage illustrated books. Despite the repaired spine, the book remains an attractive and well-preserved example of this distinctive 1960s maritime publication.

Condition – Good

1963 hardcover in good overall condition. The spine has been repaired, with the repair visible at the upper end. Otherwise clean and well preserved, with only light handling wear and minor wear to the extremities.