RARE 1926 FIRST EDITION – The Book of Navy Songs – U.S. Naval Academy – Trident Society – Excellent
Offered here is a beautiful and highly collectible first edition (1926) of The Book of Navy Songs, collected and edited by The Trident Society of the United States Naval Academy and published by Doubleday, Page & Company.
This historic volume preserves the traditional songs, shanties, and musical heritage of the U.S. Navy, with music arranged and harmonized by Joseph W. Crosley, Organist and Choirmaster of the Naval Academy. A wonderful piece of early 20th-century American naval and maritime history.
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📘 Details
• Title: The Book of Navy Songs
• Publisher: Doubleday, Page & Company, Garden City, New York
• Year: 1926
• Edition: First Edition (stated)
• Printed at: Country Life Press, Garden City, NY
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⭐ Condition
Exceptional for its age.
• Original navy blue cloth binding with bright gilt lettering and naval crest
• Binding tight and square
• Pages clean and well-preserved with light, age-appropriate toning
• No loose or missing pages
• Illustrations and decorative title pages crisp and attractive
There is a period ownership inscription on the front endpaper:
“Midshipman R.W. Eden – Bancroft Hall – Nov 1931”
(Bancroft Hall is the historic dormitory of the U.S. Naval Academy — a wonderful and authentic Naval Academy provenance detail.)
Overall condition: Very Good to Excellent
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⚓ A Special Collector’s Piece
This is an especially desirable copy due to:
✔ True First Edition
✔ Official U.S. Naval Academy publication
✔ Original period Midshipman ownership inscription
✔ Beautiful naval illustrations and decorative design
✔ Increasing interest in early American naval and maritime history
Perfect for:
• Naval & military history collectors
• U.S. Naval Academy alumni or families
• Maritime & sea shanty enthusiasts
• Antique book collectors
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📦 Ships carefully packaged and fully insured.
Please feel free to ask any questions — additional photos gladly provided.