Antique 1816 David Steel maritime reference book, The Art of Making Masts, Yards, Gaffs, Booms, Blocks and Oars, an important early work relating to traditional naval shipbuilding, rigging and mast-making practices.

This surviving copy includes the illustrated fold-out plates and technical tables associated with the work, showing period methods, measurements and equipment used in the construction and preparation of masts and associated ship fittings.

A fascinating piece for collectors of Royal Navy history, maritime books, naval architecture, ship modelling and early 19th-century technical publications.

Condition:

This is an approximately 210-year-old book and is offered in heavily aged, distressed condition. There is substantial wear, staining, discolouration, creasing, edge losses, tears and deterioration throughout. The binding/pages and fold-out sections show significant age-related fragility and should be handled carefully.

Please study all photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description. This is being sold as an authentic antique collector/reference piece rather than a pristine reading copy.

What you see is what you receive.