Third edition. viii, 184pp, with black and white illustrations throughout and seven large, fold out technical drawings showing the specification and design of the Olympic and Titanic and interior fittings. Signed and inscribed by John Maxtone-Graham on the front free endpaper, 'For Andrew, Bons Voyages, always!, John Maxtone-Graham, QE2, at sea: 1840-1990'. Loosely laid in two bookplates stating the book was bought at the Ocean Bookshop, Queen Elizabeth 2; A Cunard reciept from the Ocean Bookshop (for two books), dated 19/7/90, and a postcard-sized reproduction of a 1929 Cunard poster, with printed notes on the back indicating that the poster is from the Cunard Collection and the postcard produced as part of Cunard's 150th anniversary celebrations. Dark brown cloth-covered boards with gilt titles on the spine. Bright yellow endpapers. 8vo. Volume is neat, clean, bright and tight throughout. In its original dust wrapper, very slightly bumped at edges.
This third edition of the Titanic and the The Olympic is almost entirely a facsimile reproduction of a Souvenir Edition of The Shipbuilder, originally published in the summer of 1911 (the year before the Titantic disaster). It was issued to commemorate the building of these two mammoth liners which were intended to put the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company at the forefront of the transatlantic passenger trade. The commercial importance of the liners is reflected in the fact that this souvenir edition was then the most lavish and largest in The Shipbuilder's history. It gives highly detailed coverage of the ships, their fittings and design and building. It also contains important extracts from later editions of The Shipbuilder - the first concerns modifications made to both liners, the second concerns the sinking of The Titantic, while the third has details from the inquiry into The Titanic disaster. There is also an entirely new and extensive epilogue which throws new light on some of the stories which have surrounded these liners.
Cunard, founded in 1840 built and operated the famous Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth II Ocean Liners. In 1934, it merged with the then-ailing White Star Line, owners and operators of both The Titanic and The Olympic ocean liners.
