Gipsy Moth Circles The World.

CHICHESTER, Francis.

Item Number: 112381

London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1967.

First edition of the author’s account of circumnavigating the globe in his boat Gypsy IV. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs and maps. From the library of of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration based on a detail from Sir Francis Chichester Rounding the Horn by Norman Wilkinson.

When 65-year-old Francis Chichester set sail on his solitary eastward journey around the world in 1966, many believed he wouldn't return alive. But when the old man returned nine months later, he had made history's fastest circumnavigation. Chosen by National Geographic to their list of 100 Great Adventure books.