Nautical Gifts Catalog Appraisal

Preston’s 'Of Ships & Sea' Marine Prints and Nautical Gifts Catalog

This is a vintage trade catalog titled 'Of Ships & Sea' from Preston’s, a well-known nautical supplier formerly located at Main Street Wharf in Greenport, Long Island, N.Y. The catalog features a softbound paper cover with a two-tone aesthetic: the upper portion displays a detailed sepia-toned illustration of a square-rigged clipper ship sailing on rough waters, while the lower portion is a solid orange-peach field with bold black typography. The text indicates that the catalog includes listings for marine prints, ship models, carved whales, figureheads, scrimshaw, and brassware. Physically, the item shows signs of age-appropriate wear, including softening and slight creasing at the corners and along the spine edge. There is a visible small red mark or speck on the far left edge of the cover. The printing style and typography suggest a mid-20th-century origin, likely from the 1950s or 1960s, reflecting the maritime heritage of many coastal New England and Long Island towns of that era. The craftsmanship is typical of commercial mass-market catalogs of the time, utilizing offset lithography on standard paper stock. Its condition appears fair to good, with some surface scuffing and minor discoloration consistent with handling and storage.