Description

Title: Norie's Nautical Tables (New Revised Edition)
Author/Publisher: J. W. Norie; Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd.
Publication Year: 1952
Format: Illustrated Leather

A unique piece of British Naval history. This is not just a standard 1952 edition of the "Mariner s Bible"; it is a personalized volume owned and used by a decorated Royal Navy officer, Captain Robert Edward Purvis, M.B.E.

Item Overview

Title: Norie s Nautical Tables (New Revised Edition)

Author: J.W. Norie (Edited by Capt. George P. Burris)

Publisher: Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd. (London & St. Ives)

Printer: ENDERBY & COSBY, Ltd.

Printed: St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, Great Britian.

Year: 1952

Provenance: Front cover is custom-embossed in gold leaf: "CAPT. R. E. PURVIS, M.B.E."

Provenance & The History of Capt. R.E. Purvis

This volume carries significant historical weight due to its original owner. Robert Edward Purvis was a distinguished career officer in the Royal Navy whose service spanned the most critical years of 20th-century maritime history.

WWII Gallantry: Purvis was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1944 Birthday Honours list for his exemplary service during World War II. At the time of his decoration, he served as an Acting Lieutenant Commander.

Command: He later rose to the rank of Captain, a testament to his leadership and navigational expertise.

The Officer s Tool: For a Captain of his era, Norie's Tables were not a luxury but a necessity. This book would have been used on the bridge of British warships to calculate celestial navigation and positioning long before the advent of GPS.

Importance of Norie s Nautical Tables

First published in 1803, Norie s Nautical Tables became the global standard for maritime navigation. This 1952 "New Revised Edition" represents the pinnacle of manual navigation technology. It contains the essential logarithmic and trigonometric tables required for "working the sights" the complex mathematical process of turning sextant readings into a geographical fix.

To find a copy personally bound for a decorated Captain of the Royal Navy adds a layer of "story" that standard

Synopsis

J.W. Norie's Nautical Tables have long stood as a foundational pillar in maritime navigation, serving as an indispensable resource for generations of mariners. This 1952 edition represents a significant revised version of this classic text, designed to provide accurate and essential data for safe and efficient seafaring.

What elevates this particular volume to a truly unique status is its distinguished provenance: it was personally owned and utilised by Captain Robert Edward Purvis, M.B.E., a decorated officer of the Royal Navy. This direct association with a figure of significant British naval history, particularly during the Second World War, imbues the book with profound historical and personal resonance.

• Distinguished Royal Navy Provenance: This book carries the undeniable mark of Captain Robert Edward Purvis, M.B.E., a Member of the Order of the British Empire and a Royal Navy officer whose service spanned the pivotal era of the Second World War. His personal ownership connects this technical guide to actual naval operations and historical events.
• A Post-War Revised Edition: Published in 1952, this 'New Revised Edition' likely incorporated updated astronomical and navigational data, reflecting advancements and adjustments made in maritime practice following the technological developments and experiences of WWII.
• Practical Illustrations: True to its purpose as a practical navigational aid, the book features various illustrations. These visual elements would have served to clarify complex concepts, diagram navigational instruments, and aid in the interpretation of charts and tables for effective maritime use.

This 1952 revised edition of Norie's Nautical Tables, graced by the distinguished provenance of Captain R.E. Purvis, M.B.E., Royal Navy, offers a compelling and tangible link to British maritime and military history, making it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of naval artefacts and historical documents alike.

Condition

This item has been professionally inspected and is in Acceptable condition. Please refer to the photographs for detailed visual assessment.

Specifications