Books by The Marine Research Society
Arranged alphabetically by author.

The Marine Research Society was organized in 1922 at Salem, Massachusetts, "for the purpose of collecting and publishing worthwhile material relating to the ship, its construction, rig and navigation; to the ways of the sailor and his adventures in uncharted seas; to the days of the pirates and the merchant adventurers; and to any other matter of general interest that pertains to the commercial marine. In this connection it is also proposed to reprint certain publications that have now become rare and inaccessible to the average collector in this field. It is the aim of the Society to restrict its work to the publication of matter of scientific or historical value...."

                                                   Preface of Sailing Ships of New England by Robinson and Dow, the first publication by the Society

To order any of these books please use your mouse button to click on the check box next to each book title.   Then tap the ORDER button below and that will start the secure server shopping box system.



  • Click on Image to expand
    Davis, Charles G.:  The Built-Up Ship Model.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1933. First Edition, First printing. Very good+ in blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine with a prior owner's name neatly written at the upper edge of the first free end page. A very tight, clean and attractive copy in a a very good-, unclipped dust jacket with heavy rubbing to the folds to the flaps. The fold to the front flap has a 4" long closed tear as a result and there is wear and rubbing to the ends of the spine area and to the upper edge of the front panel. 206 pages containing an index, text with many line drawings through-out o provide a very detailed reference scource for rigging and on-deck features. Plans are included for the construction of a plank on frame, 16-gun brig within the text. The twenty-fifth volume in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society.
    TB22638  $75.00




  • Davis, Charles G.:  The Ship Model Builder's Assistant.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1926. First Edition, First printing. Good- in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. The cloth on the spine is well faded and rubbed at the extremes. The front and rear hinges are cracked and the binding is shaken. Without its issued dust jacket . 275 pages containing an index, appendices, text and drawings throughout to provide a very detailed reference source for rigging and on-deck features. The twelfth volume in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society.
    TB22559  $30.00



  • Click on Image to expand
    Johnson, Alfred:  Ships and Shipping A Collection of Pictures Including Many American Vessels Painted by Antoine Roux and His Sons.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1925. First Edition. Near fine in red, ribbed cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. A small quarto of 10 by 7 inches with the cloth at the head and heel of the spine lightly rubbed and worn and with two short closed tears to the heel of the spine. The contents are clean, tight and free of foxing and tanning and any prior ownership markings. In a very good+, unclipped (no price) dust jacket with a closed tear of one inch long over the front joint and with several small chips from the ends of the spine area and over the tips of the boards several of which have been repaired on the verso side with scotch tape. 270 pages including an index and 61 pages of text. Illustrated with 118 black and white plates. Introductory text by Louis Bres and reminiscences by Edouard Gaubert. Translated and annotated by Alfred Johnson. "A Dynasty of marine Painters Antoine Roux and His Sons." Originally published in Marseille in 1883. The original text in French is on the verso side of the pages of text while the corresponding English version is on the facing recto page. The ninth volume in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society.
    TB31637  $100.00



  • Click on Image to view multiple images
    Matthews, Frederick C.:  American Merchant Ships 1850-1900 (Series One and Two).  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1930 & 1931. First Editions. Both volumes of this two volume set are in fine condition in dark blue cloth covered boards with bright gilt text on the spines and embossed boarders on the front boards. Both are small quartos of 10 by 6 7/8 inches with mild foxing to the fore and bottom edges of the text blocks. The top edges are stained blue. Both volumes are in near fine, unclipped (no prices) dust jackets. The first volume contains 399 pages including an index and is illustrated with a color frontispiece and throughout with images from earlier works of art and black and white photographs. The second volume (Series two) contains 358 pages including an index and is also well illustrated with images as aforesaid. Very uncommon to be found in such nice condition in their original dust jackets. These volumes are the Marine Research Society's Publications Number 21 and 23.
    TB31554  $350.00



  • Click on Image to expand
    Matthews, Frederick C.:  American Merchant Ships 1850-1900.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1930. First Edition, First printing. Fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. A small quarto of 10 by 6 7/8 inches. As to be expected with any volume in "fine" condition, the binding, hinges and joints are all strong and all pages are present without any evidence of foxing or tanning. In a fine, unclipped (no price) dust jacket. Containing 399 pages including an index, text and illustrated with 127 photographic plates of merchant sailing ships. The twenty-first volume in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society. (Howes M-424)
    TB31638  $100.00



  • Click on Image to expand
    Matthews, Frederick C.:  American Merchant Ships 1850-1900 (Series II) Limited Edition.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1931. Limited Edtion. Very good in 1/4 black cloth and marbled paper covered boards with gilt text stamping on a faded cloth spine and with marbled end sheets. A small quarto measuring 10 1/4" by 7 1/4" with the tips of the boards worn and several short closed tears to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine. One of only ninety-seven printed of which only 87 were for sale and this volume is identified as number 81. 358 pages including an index. Illustrated with 53 photographs or photographic reproductions of works of art. The twenty-third volume in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society.
    TB25074  $65.00



  • Click on Image to expand
    Pierce, Wesley George:  Goin' Fishin' The Story of the Deep-Sea Fishermen of New England.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1934. First Edition, First printing. Very good+ in blue, pebbled cloth covered boards with gilt text and rules on the spine. There is a prior owner's book plate on the first free end page and the cloth on the spine is a bit faded with the head and heel rubbed and very slightly worn. Without a dust jacket. 323 pages including an index and illustrated with line drawings and black and white photographs. One of the volumes in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society. Per Albion, this title is a "Good firsthand description of methods." (Albion, p. 207)
    TB22548  $40.00



  • Click on Image to expand
    Wasson, George S.:  Sailing Days On The Penobscot The River and Bay as They were in The Old Days.  Salem, Mass.: Marine Research Society, 1932. First Edition, First printing. Very good- in blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and map end sheets. The cloth on the spine is quite faded and the cloth at the head and heel are rubbed, worn is fraying. The hinges, joints and binding are tight and strong with the text block tight, no pages missing and exceptionally clean and free of foxing or any damage. Without its issued dust jacket. 465 pages including an index and followed by a one page ad for other publications by The Marine Research Society. Illustrated with black and white photographs throughout.. "With a record of vessels built there [Penobscot River] compiled by Lincoln Colcord." (Albion, p. 135) One of the volumes in the series of publications by the Marine Research Society.
    TB22557  $125.00






  • After you have checked off each book you wish to order (a mouse click in the small check box just above the author's name or book title will do it), please tap the ORDER button below.  You will then be taken to our secure server which will allow you to confirm the items you want and then enter the information to provide us with the details of your name, payment method and where the book(s) should be sent. 

    All books are returnable within 10 days from date of receipt; however, please call us first so that we understand your intentions.  

    Availability is subject to prior sale.