David & Charles, 1976, Hardcover, Book Condition: Very Good, Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good, First, Signed by Author

As with the stern ornamentation, the purpose of the figurehead was often to indicate the name of the ship in a non-literate society (albeit in a sometimes very convoluted manner); and always, in the case of naval ships, to demonstrate the wealth and might of the owner. At the height of the Baroque period, some ships boasted gigantic figureheads, weighing several tons and sometimes twinned on both sides of the bowsprit.This book is richly illustrated with photographs and the Authors line illustrations Size: Octavo (standard book size). Category: Ships & the Sea; Signed by Author.