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live October 29 | 04:00 PM
Willow Auction House

96 - Two vintage oceanography and marine biology hardcover books. The first title is The Living World of the Sea by William J. Cromie, illustrated by George Geygan, and published by Prentice-Hall. This copy is a third printing from June 1967, featuring blue cloth boards and the original dust jacket. The second title is Shadows in the Sea: The Sharks, Skates and Rays by Harold W. McCormick, Tom Allen, and Captain William Young, published by Chilton Books. This volume is bound in blue cloth with a dust jacket protected by a clear plastic cover. The endpapers feature a blue-tinted print of Winslow Homer's The Gulf Stream. Laid into the text is a sheet of loose-leaf ruled notebook paper with handwritten study notes. Larger copy: 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1 3/8".

Starting price

USD 100 (€89)

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Estimation

USD 200 - 400 (€170 - 360)

Sale fees

28%

Two vintage oceanography and marine biology hardcover books. The first title is The Living World of the Sea by William J. Cromie, illustrated by George Geygan, and published by Prentice-Hall. This copy is a third printing from June 1967, featuring blue cloth boards and the original dust jacket. The second title is Shadows in the Sea: The Sharks, Skates and Rays by Harold W. McCormick, Tom Allen, and Captain William Young, published by Chilton Books. This volume is bound in blue cloth with a dust jacket protected by a clear plastic cover. The endpapers feature a blue-tinted print of Winslow Homer's The Gulf Stream. Laid into the text is a sheet of loose-leaf ruled notebook paper with handwritten study notes. Larger copy: 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1 3/8". The books behind the books. Peter's working library of marine biology, maritime history, underwater archaeology, exploration and shark science is where The Deep, Beast, Shark Trouble and his National Geographic articles began. He loved these books and read them thoroughly. Provenance: Exhibited in "From the White House to the Deep Ocean: LBJ, Jaws and Conservation, " held at the LBJ Presidential Library, Austin, Texas, from April 19 through October 19, 2025. From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation. Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund. CONDITION: The Living World of the Sea dust jacket is in poor condition with significant tearing, creasing, and paper loss along the top and bottom edges of the spine and panels. Shadows in the Sea shows minor wear at the jacket edges. The text blocks of both volumes exhibit age-toning throughout. NOTICE TO BIDDERS: The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Photos are considered part of the condition report. Complete condition information is available by request, please request no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and Willow Auctions will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.

Auction details

The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Ocean Conservation
Thursday, October 29
04:00 PM
2 Frassetto Way Lincoln Park,
NJ 07035 Lincoln Park, United States

Auction house

Willow Auction House +18 6 28 95 57 00 info@willowauctionhouse.com
On Drouot for less than a year avec More than 2,000 lots published

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