Lot 972

"My Ditty Box" by James Graham 1952 HC Auto-Biography Of Aircraft Carrier Inventor 1st/1st

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"My Ditty Box" by James Graham 1952 HC Auto-Biography Of Aircraft Carrier Inventor 1st/1st

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Estimate: $50 - $100

Starting Bid: $20

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by The Book Barn
August 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Timed Auction
353 Indian Village Road
Shapliegh, ME, US 07076

SCARCE VINTAGE 1952 Hardcover Auto-biography Of James Graham Inventor Of The Aircraft Carrier 1st Edition 1st Printing. "My Ditty Box" by James Graham; Sixth Duke Of Montrose. HARDCOVER 1952 Johnathan Cape (England) 1st Edition, 1st printing with "First Published 1952" & with no additional printings on copyright page. Exactly as shown in listing scan(s). Nice Collectible 1st Edition 1st Printing hardcover copy. SCARCE BOOK IN ORIGINAL; ONLY THREE ORIGINAL COPIES ON THE INTERNET AT THE TIME OF LISTING.

"Commodore James Graham, 6th Duke of Montrose KT CB CVO VD (1878-1954) was a Scottish nobleman, naval officer, politician and engineer. He took the first film of a solar eclipse and is credited as the inventor of the aircraft carrier. Having been instrumental in founding the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in 1903, he served in the Auxiliary Naval Service during WWI. In his political life, he was assistant private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1905, and Naval Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty. He entered the House of Lords as the 6th Duke in 1925. He was the inventor of the world's first naval aircraft carrier, when in 1912, as a director of William Beardmore and Company of Dalmuir, he designed a 14,450 GRT merchant vessel intended for delivery to the Lloyd Sabaudo Line of Italy as the SS Conte Rosso. When war broke out in 1914, work on the vessel ceased, but was resumed in 1916 as an aircraft carrier. The conversion work was completed in September 1918, and the vessel was commissioned as HMS Argus-recognized as the first "flat top". The Duke was also designer and owner of the first seagoing heavy oil motor ship."

Illustrated with photos. Previous owner's name/address/date on 1st blank end paper, o/w internally tight & unmarked. Binding Exterior: Light handling wear/light scattered rubbing, but all lettering/decoration bright. NO REMAINDER MARK; NOT X-LIBRARY. No DJ present.

ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED, NOT DEFECTIVE, & GENUINE.

PLEASE NOTE: We do all our own shipping. We will combine shipping on multiple items, where possible to save the wining bidder on shipping costs. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign w inning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

  • Condition: Good Condition

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We do all our own shipping. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

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$0 $19 $1
$20 $49 $2
$50 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 + $100