A Six-Hour Shift, William McFee — 1st Edition, Signed, Limited

£30.10

A Six-Hour Shift, William McFee — 1st Edition, Signed, Limited

Name: A Six-Hour Shift, William McFee — 1st Edition, Signed, Limited
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6824
Price: 30.10 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£30.10

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: Garden City, New York, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. 98.

Condition Report: Good. The book exhibits noticeable but acceptable wear typical with its age and the fragile nature of its binding. The Japanese vellum spine shows distinct age-toning and some minor edge-chipping, though the gilt lettering remains clear and reasonably bright without significant oxidation. The grey paper-covered boards are heavily rubbed at the corners, and the front board bears a prominent, blotchy dark stain towards the right edge that slightly detracts from its overall appeal. Internally, the letterpress impression remains crisp, and the binding is secure. While the pages are largely clean, they do display standard, uniform paper aging and toning throughout, without significant foxing or structural tears.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition, issued as a special signed limited printing. The total print run was strictly limited to 377 numbered copies, with each copy signed by the author, William McFee, on the limitation page. The volume is unillustrated, relying entirely on the author's evocative prose.

It is bound in grey paper-covered boards with a Japanese vellum spine and gilt titling, a delicate binding style typical of early twentieth-century limited editions. There are no notable bookplates, binders' stamps, or formal previous ownership inscriptions present.

On the open market, this limited edition is considered uncommon. While copies do surface, they are frequently plagued by severe wear or darkening to the fragile vellum spine, making perfectly preserved examples quite scarce.

A Six-Hour Shift is an evocative maritime essay by William McFee, offering a highly atmospheric first-hand account of the nocturnal midnight-to-dawn watch aboard a steamship in the Gulf of Salonika. Drawing heavily on his own experiences as a seagoing ship's engineer, McFee beautifully captures the isolation, introspection, and rhythmic monotony of life at sea. Originally appearing in part in The Atlantic Monthly, this immersive piece of nautical literature remains a fascinating reflection on naval duty, human resilience, and the quiet camaraderie found during the darkest hours of a voyage.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: William McFee

Book Publisher: Doubleday, Page & Company

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 98

Book Publication Year: 1920

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Garden City, New York, United States

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.