Kirjahaku

Until the advent of the helicopter, the only way to visit St Kilda was by sea and two companies made the trip their own. John Macallum and Martin Orme owned the ships Hebridean, Hebrides and Dunara Castle and these ships made the regular mail visits to the islands from the 1880s until the late 1930s. They brought trade and tourists to the islands, and were, apart from infrequent calls by fishing boats and whaling ships, the only contact with the outside world. For a short summer each year, once a week, one of the steamers would be in Village Bay discharging cargo, collecting tweed and taking visiting tourists on their quest to view Britain’s most remote inhabitants. James MacKay tells the story of the St Kilda steamers, those ships that have operated to the island group of St Kilda and which helped in the evacuation of the islands in 1930.

Newly updated in 2020, this is the definitive illustrated reference to the world's greatest coins and a professional guide to building a spectacular collection, featuring over 3000 colour images. The ultimate expert guide to coins and coin collecting, this is an in-depth introduction to the origins, anatomy and usage of coins looks at the birth of the world's first currencies. Practical advice on evaluating grade and condition that will enable the amateur to gauge the value of their latest acquisitions, and step-by-step techniques show how to restore and preserve coins of all ages. The fully-illustrated country-by-country directory contains concise and lively histories of modern-day territories and ancient regimes, plus engrossing stories of some of the most remarkable coins in existence. This is a full-colour global guide to world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, featuring coins and collectables for 200 countries. It provides an expert guide to understanding the value and identity of coins, with insights into dates, metals, denominations, shapes, mintmarks, and portraits. A thorough introduction details the history of coin production around the world, from the origins of coinage in the seventh century BC, to its subsequent development by Alexander the Great, Cleopatra and Napoleon, through to its role in today's society. It includes over 3000 life-size colour images of wonderful coins, including the boat-shaped issues of ancient Byzantium, the bronze tokens of the Chinese dynasties, the emergency World War One issues, the Vatican coins, and many more.

Practical advice on evaluating grade and condition will enable the amateur to gauge the value of their latest acquisitions, and step-by-step techniques show how to restore and preserve coins of all ages. The fully-illustrated country-by-country directory contains concise and lively histories of modern-day territories and ancient regimes, plus engrossing stories of some of the most remarkable coins in existence. A global guide to world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, featuring coins and collectables for 200 countries. Provides an expert guide to understanding the value and identity of coins, with insights into dates, metals, denominations, shapes, mintmarks, and portraits. A thorough introduction details the history of coin production around the world, from the origins of coinage in the seventh century BC, to its subsequent development by Alexander the Great, Cleopatra and Napoleon, through to its role in today's society. Includes over 3000 images of wonderful coins, including the boat-shaped issues of ancient Byzantium, the bronze tokens of the Chinese dynasties, the emergency World War One issues, the Vatican coins, and many more.

This book offers full advice on getting the most out of these popular pastimes, from making your first acquisitions to organizing and caring for your collection. It features over 6000 stunning images let the reader identify purchases, and learn how to boost collections, whether organizing by country, pictorial theme or purpose-of-issue. It includes expert commentary from a world-renowned collector examines the production of stamps and coins, plus size, shape, design, denomination, watermarks and metals. Collecting stamps and coins - known to the world as philately and numismatics - are among the most enduring hobbies of all time, and this comprehensive guide helps explain why. It is both a stunning visual compendium that illustrates how these collectables have evolved, country-by-country, from their origins to the present day, as well as a practical guide to identification, categorization, care and assessing value. It contains expert practical advice on identifying key features, and determining condition and value, plus guidelines on competitive exhibiting or on-line trading. This is an essential companion for every collector and enthusiast.

Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is one of history's greatest heroes, but also one of its greatest enigmas - a shadowy figure whose edges have been blurred by myth and legend. Even the date and place of his birth have been mis-stated - until now. James Mackay uses all his skills as a historical detective to produce this definitive biography, telling the incredible story of a man who, without wealth or noble birth, rose to become Guardian of Scotland. William Wallace, with superb generalship and tactical genius, led a country with no previous warlike tradition to triumph gloriously over the much larger, better-armed and better-trained English forces. Seven hundred years later, the heroism and betrayal, the valiant deeds and the dark atrocities, and the struggle of a small nation against a brutal and powerful empire, still create a compelling tale.