Jane's Fighting Ships - 1942 by Francis McMurtrie - 1943

This is a World War II era edition of "JANE'S FIGHTING SHIPS - 1942" (though the book was issued in 1943) with its scarcely found dust jacket. From the dust jacket: "The acknowledged world authority and the only complete and authentic encyclopaedia of all the navies of the world, containing over 3,000 photographs and other illustrations. A complete record of naval progress throughout the world." 1943; The Macmillan Company; New York. The book is considered "The ultimate reference on naval data."

This copy is quite unique in that the original owner has added "pockets" to both the front and rear pastedowns; each pocket is stuffed with ephemera associated with World War II and fighting ships. Highlights of these "extras" include beautifully illustrated and incredibly detailed hand-drawn diagrams of ships (see photos). Here are other examples of what's included in these "pockets": color paper shortage brochure from the War Production Board; many newspaper & magazine clippings from the early-to-mid 1940's related to the war (U-Boats, destroyers, battleships, submarines, the Navy, President Roosevelt, aircraft carriers, etc.); hand-written notes on US/Japan fleet loss data, the "Pacific War" and battleship information; the original "Jane's Fighting Ship" double-sided sell sheet; etc.

A neat, one-of-a-kind find for the World War II or "fighting ship" enthusiast!

Condition:
Foxing to most of the front cover and at the bottom edge of the back cover. The binding is a bit shaky but holding. The pages are in terrific condition - mostly clean with no notable condition flaws; there are some pencil notes and even hand-sketched ship diagrams on some pages, which some may consider to enhance the book; some of the ship diagrams have been colored in with light blue colored pencil. The scarce dust jacket is included, but is in poor condition with notable tears (some of which have been repaired with tape).