Sailor’s Soliloquy

240pp, 9pp black and white photographic plates. Cream cloth-covered boards, gilt titles on spine. 8vo.  Lightly bumped spine ends. Text block edges foxing. Previous owner’s bookplate on front free endpaper. Internally neat, clean, bright and tight. Dust jacket has light shelf wear, chipping to edges, mirrors book damage, price clipped.

The elegance of Edwardian society can be dimly seen in the background as the attention turns to Oswald Frewen, an engaging small boy who grows up, goes to Eton, joins the Navy, dashes recklessly about the country on early motorcycles, survives unlikely escapades, and keeps a diary – it is the diary that is important.