Historical information

Author W M Smart, M.A., D.SC., F.R.A.S. (William Marshall Smart), (1889-1975) Regius Professor of Astronomy in the University of Glasgow, Instructor-Lieut. in the Royal Navy during World War I. and John Couch Adams Astronomer in the University of Cambridge. In 1943 he was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburg. From 1949-1951 he was President of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the Royal Institute of Navigation. In 1958 he was awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh.

The publisher firm, Longmans, Green & Co, was originally founded in 1724 in London by Thomas Longman under the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC.

The book was sold by Collins Book Depot which was founded by Frederick Henry (Harry) Slamen in 1922. In 1929 the form became a Proprietary Limited Company with an additional two stores, at 95 Elizabeth and 361 Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Collins Booksellers is still owned by the Stamen family. It is the largest Australian-owned bookselling chain.

Significance

The book is significant due to its connection with navigation at sea. Its author W M Smart was a learned astronomer and an Instructor-Lieutenant for the Royal Navy during World War I. His achievements were recognised in 1958 when he was awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh.

Physical description

A Handbook of Sea Navigation:
The Theory & Practice of Astronomical Navigation at Sea, with diagrams and charts
Author: W M Smart, M.A., D.SC., F.R.A.S. (William Marshall Smart)
Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co
Printer: Collins Book Depot
Date: 1943
Textured green hardcover book. Inscriptions on the Fly page.

Inscriptions & markings

Pencil: "12/6" [12 shillings 6 pence]
Sticker: "G.F. Byrne / Faunce Crescent / O'Connor, A.C.T. / Australia 2001"
Stamp: "COLLINS BOOK DEPOT PTY. LTD. / Technical Book Department / 361 Swanston St., Melb. G - - -"