[Signed] VERY WILLING GRIFFIN - The story of the smallest boat ever to compete in the Singlehanded Transatlantic Race DAVID BLAGDEN - Beautifully Ins

Description

HAND-SIGNED DEDICATION BY DAVID TO THE TITLE PAGE - States: (To Joan, John, Susan and Denise 'NOT TO MENTION 'BARTAT'!- With best wishes from David Blagden, March '78 ) - Published by: W.W. NORTON & COMPANY, INC.- New York, New York - [it's unusual to see this typed twice but that's what is printed] - On the Copyright Page it states: (C) 1973 by David Blagden - First American Edition 1974 - ISBN: 0-393-3179-9 - Printed in Great Britain. Interestingly, the ISBN: 0-393-3179-9, is not recognised or accepted by abebooks in the listing, so I am putting it here. - VERY WILLING GRIFFIN: This book by David Blagden - an ex Merchant Navy sailor then jobbing actor - is a must for anyone interested in small boats and long voyages. - It took a great deal of persistence and persuasion, but Blagden managed to enter the 1972 OSTAR singlehanded transatlantic race in a relatively tiny Hunter 19, ' Willing Griffin '. - The story of his fight to get to the start line is probably more inspiring than the race ! - He went on to host the T.V. programme ' Plain Sailing ' which sometimes featured Willing Griffin - so named as David Blagden liked heraldic mythical beasts but as Griffins were supposed to be ill tempered he called her [Very] Willing Griffin. - The book tells of his wrestling with the waves during Atlantic storms and of putting into the Azores to replace drinking water that had become contaminated. His 19 foot boat was the smallest ever to participate in an official transatlantic race. ‘Willing Griffin’ was like David in his fight with Goliath when compared with the giant 128 ft schooner, ‘Vendredi Treiz’, which took second place, and had already finished the Race before Blagden left the Azores. Undaunted, Blagden continued through calms and storms to finish on handicap in 10th position out of fifty-nine competitors. - In the minds of many, ‘Willing Griffin’ had vanquished ‘Vendredi Treiz’. [There is a singular picture of them side by side above - picture number 3] - Blagden had blazed a way for small boat ocean racing, and inspired by what he achieved, Bob Salmon who had also been a competitor (retired) in the same 1972 Observer Single-handed Race, organized the first single-handed transatlantic race for yachts under 21 feet, the Mini-Transat, now renamed the Transat 6.50. - The book is well worth reading, but out of print and a rightly sought after item for owners of all Oliver Lee designed Hunters. - CONDITION & DESCRIPTION: The original dustjacket houses this book. Retains price on a small label on the inner front panel, alongside the name of the publisher. $7.95. The dustjacket was originally chipped on the top and bottom of the spine but this has been repaired to the rear with colour-like paper. Since taking the images to accompany, I have covered the dustjacket with a removable archival sleeve for future protection. - Blue cloth boards with faded gold gilt lettering to the spine. Lovely clean condition and firmly bound to the inner page block. - Map of...