Classic dive books, underwater books, diving, 
    marine sciences, shipwrecks, salvage and treasure. 

    Please note: The books are listed for collectors interest only, and not offered for sale. (See note below).

    Use the data base search engine to seek a specific title or author, or use the category lists below.

    Interested in the historic side of diving? 
    Link to the (Australian) Historical  Diving Society for contacts in all countries having a society. 

    Thankyou to the French diving group for their support. 
    See http://plongeur-radin.com/fr/plongeur-collectionneur-de-materiel-de-plongee-vintage/7184-classic-diving-books.html
     

    ALPHABETIC INDEX - 
    A LIST FOR COLLECTORS
    (English text).
     

    FOREIGN TITLE INDEX

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE TITLES
    ITALIAN TITLES

    External Links:
    FOR A WEBSITE  of  FRENCH TITLES
    FOR A WEBSITE  of  FINNISH TITLES
    FOR A WEBSITE  of  ITALIAN TITLES

    FOR A LIST OF SUNKEN TREASURE BOOKS 

    COLLECTORS - FOR SALE OR ENQUIRY

    ...................................
    INDEX BY COUNTRY

    RECREATIONAL DIVING 
    BOOKS - INSTRUCTION.

    AUSTRALIA
    AUSTRALIA MARINE LIFE
    GREAT BARRIER REEF
    See also 
    SHIPS and SHIPWECKS ---->
     

    BRITAIN
        -SCAPA FLOW
        - UK LOCATIONS
        - UK WRECKS
    EUROPE
    USA

    REST of the WORLD


    ON SPECIFIC DIVERS
    See also Authors.

    COMMANDER BUSTER CRABB
    JOHNNO JOHNSTONE
    WILLIAM WALKER
    WILLIAMSON BROTHERS


    ADMINISTRATION

    CORRESPONDENCE
    Links, Letters ? Conversation

    SELECTED DEALERS IN 
    SECOND-HAND 
    UNDERWATER BOOKS

    VALUES

    GENERAL

    19th CENTURY BOOKS
    PRE 19th CENTURY BOOKS

    ADVERTISMENTS
    (external link)

    AN ARTISTS IMPRESSION!!

    BADGES

    CARTOONS (external link).
    [Internal link]

    CATALOGS - EQUIPMENT 
    LILLYWHITE CATALOGS (UK)
    INSTRUCTION MANUALS

    COLLECTIONS
    PRIVATE LIBRARYS

    COMICS
    COMPENDIUMS, COLLECTIONS
    EPHEMERAL (CARDS etc)
    EXHIBITIONS

    FILM and STAGE (Lobby Cards)

    FOREIGN LANGUAGE GENERAL
    FOREIGN - ITALIAN

    GENERAL BOOKS CONTAINING
    SOME DIVING

    MAGAZINES

    'OLD' GENERAL MAGAZINES, PRE 1930

    NEWSPAPERS

    MUSIC - LPs etc.

    NOVELTIES (Not books).

    POSTAGE STAMPS
     

    GENERAL SUBJECT

    ADOLESCENT - CHILDREN
    BIOGRAPHIES
    CAVES, BLUES HOLES, FRESHWATER
    DEEP WATER EXPLORATION
    DIVE TRAVEL, LOCATIONS 
    DIVE EXPERIENCES
    EQUIPMENT
    FICTION - NOVELS - DOUBTFUL TALES
    FROGMEN
    GREAT BARRIER REEF
    HABITATS
    HYPERBARIC MEDICINE ? HEALTH

    INSTRUCTION (TECHNICAL,
    ADVANCED RECREATIONAL ? COMMERCIAL)

    JUVENILE
    JUVENILE-ANNUALS, COMPENDIUMS
    JUVENILE-POPUP ? JIGSAW
    LOCALITY
    MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY

    MARINE NATURAL SCIENCES
    MARINE SCIENCES AUSTRALIAN
    SHARKS - ELASMOBRANC
    MAMMALS - WHALES, SEALS
    CORALS - CORAL REEFS

    MILITARY
    MILITARY - USA

    MYSTERY AND CRIME
    NARRATIVES-BIOGRAPHY
    PEARL and SPONGE DIVING
    PRE-HISTORY, ANTHROPOLOGY
    RECREATIONAL DIVING
    SALVAGE
    SCIENTIFIC

    SUBMARINES AND SUBMERSIBLES
    TECHNICAL
    U/W PHOTOGRAPHY - TECHNIQUE
    U/W PHOTOGRAPHY - ESSAYS
    U/W WORK, CAISON PROJECTS
    WHALES AND WHALING


    REPRODUCTIONS
    of historic diving books.

    EARLY, HARD HAT and COMMERCIAL DIVING

    COMMERCIAL DIVING

    CORPRATIONS

    HARDHAT (Standard Dress)

    HARDHAT -  HELMETS
    STANDARD DRESS COLLECTIONS

    HISTORY OF DIVING
    MILITARY and NAVY
    MILITARY and NAVY (USA)
     

    NARRATIVES- MEMOIRS BY
    COMMERCIAL DIVERS &
    NAVY DIVERS

    OIL RIG DIVING

    POLICE AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS

    TREASURE ? HISTORICAL SALVAGE

    See also authors:
    ROBERT H. DAVIS
    FRANK MEIER
    WILLIAMSON BROTHERS
    DESMOND YOUNG


    Books on
    DIVE LOCATIONS

    DIVE TRAVEL, 
    WORLD LOCATIONS 

    DIVE LOCATION - ASIA

    SCAPA FLOW

    TRUK LAGOON (Micronesia)

    AUSTRALIA LOCATIONS

    UK LOCATIONS

     

    SHIPS and SHIPWRECKS

    AUSTRALIA'S SHIPWRECKS
       - DIVING AUSSIE WRECKS
    THE WORLD'S SHIPWRECKS
        - DIVING WORLD WRECKS

    MILITARY SHIPWRECKS
    NEW ZEALAND SHIPWRECKS
    SCAPA FLOW
    TRUK LAGOON (Micronesia)
    UNITED KINGDOM
    WRECKERS (and Smugglers)


    SPECIFIC SHIPWRECKS (AUSTRALIA)

       LOCH ARD (Victoria)
       THE DUTCH WRECKS (WA)

       JACK LONEY BIBLIOGRAPHY
       Links: Internal. External


    SPECIFIC SHIPS (WORLD)

       ANDREA DORIA
       EMPRESS of IRELAND
       KURSK (sub)
       LUSITANIA
       NIAGARA
       ROYAL GEORGE
       ROYAL OAK
       THE QUEENS, MARY ? ... 
    .........ELIZABETH
       TITANIC
       VASA
       WOLF

    SHIP IDENTIFICATION
    SHIP RESTORATION/REPLICAS
     

     

      SPECIFIC BOOKS

    20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
    BSAC MANUAL
    FULL FATHOM FIVE
    DEEP DIVING AND 
        SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES
    ROYAL NAVY DIVING MANUAL
    THE COMPLEAT GOGGLER
    US NAVY DIVING MANUAL


    ON THE SEA and OCEANS

    EXPLOITING THE SEA
    MYTHS AND MONSTERS
    OCEANOGRAPHY AND EXPLORATION
    PIRACY
    THE PLIMSOLL LINE
    SAILORS AND SEA TRAVEL
    THE SEA - IN GENERAL
    SEAMANSHIP


    SPECIFIC SHIPWRECK SUBJECTS

    CLASSIC WRECKS
    HISTORY OF SHIPS & SHIPPING
    MILITARY AND NAVAL LOSSES
    NAVAL RAIDERS
    OIL TANKERS
    PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAYS
    SALVAGE
    SHIP, SHIPPING LINE ......HANDBOOKS
    SPECIAL SHIPS OF INTEREST
    TREASURE ? HISTORICAL SALVAGE
     

    SIGNIFICANT 
    AUTHORS:

    R.M.BALLANTYNE
    ROBERT BALLARD
    WILLIAM BEEBE
    JOHN BEVAN
    ROBERT BURGESS
    LLOYD BRIDGES
    C.A. CHARD
    ARTHUR C. CLARKE
    JACQUES COUSTEAU
    ROBERT H. DAVIS
    PHILIPPE DIOLE
    EDWARD DU CROS
    HUGH EDWARDS
    EDWARD ELLSBERG
    GUY GILPATRIC
    HANS HASS
    VANE IVANOVIC
    PETER KEEBLE
    LEY KENYON
    JACK LONEY (see below)
    JOE MACINNIS
    ROBERT MARX
    DAVID MASTERS
    KENDALL McDONALD
    ALEXANDER McKEE
    FRANK MEIER
    NOEL MONKMAN
    HARRY RIESEBERG
    HILBERT SCHENCK
    HENRY SIEBE
    ROBERT STENUIT
    PHILIPPE TAILLIEZ
    PERCY F. WESTERMAN
    WILLIAMSON BROTHERS
    DESMOND YOUNG
     

    (SOME) PRESENT DAY
    DIVE AUTHORS
    .

    JACK LONEY BIBLIOGRAPHY
       Links: Internal. External


     
     
    Please note: original design of this website was based on the display size of the smaller vacuum tube computer monitors (screens). Current screens are flat, and at least 21-inch (angle). Changes may gradually be made to reflect the greater screen width, which may then be awkward when viewed with smaller screens - apologies for that. 

    The way this website has expanded over the years, perhaps I should call it 'Classic dive books plus other relevant interests pertaining to the oceans'. Many divers, especially those interested in shipwrecks, also take an interest in ships, shipping and sailors, and other aspects of the oceans. However, you will find nothing on land or boat fishing (although spearfishing is included here); nor is there anything on yachting.I have also expanded the time period, considering more recent publications if they warrant consideration as exceptional books. This is particularly applicable to the History of Diving category. 

    NEW WEBSITE - CLASSIC DIVER ADVERTISMENTS
    This website shows some of the many hundreds of general advertisments for non-diving products that have used divers and diving to get the sponsors message across. The contributions to this page are from British collecter and diver Phil Thurtle, who has also contributed significantly to this Classic Dive Books website. (Administration internal link only).  Also CARTOONS

    WE'VE MADE IT TO 2000 BOOKS (on 6 July 2011). It has been a combined effort from many collectors around the world. I would especially like to thank Phil Thurtle in the UK for his contining contributions, and indeed all those collectors listed below. We are also indebted to Italian collector Massimo Bertoni for his inclusion of many Italian language diving books. See FOREIGN-ITALIAN above.  We are now loading details on EPHEMERA such as 'trade cards', and diver advertisements (see above). 

    The site has received some very pleasant comment from many collectors who have found the listings of great value. That is what it is all about - a sharing of knowledge so that we may all enjoy such a rewarding pastime. 


     
     

    NEW WEBPAGE - FOR COLLECTORS
    TO ENQUIRE AND TO SELL. 


     
    Classic dive book?
    Who is to pass such judgement? Only the greater public can do so, and typical of the attitudes of today, the classic book will, unfortunately, be determined by its monetary value. If you are prepared to pay big money, then it must be classic, right? I think not, but who am I to judge. I would hope that a 'classic' book, on any theme, would be one with merit in its prose, its interest, its facts, its encouragement. It may also be old, but that should not be a sole criteria, even though I have used age in the determination of some of the books chosen to be included. No doubt, many of you may judge otherwise. 
    An update to such thinking: I am now including more recent titles that are of interst, no doubt, to readers and collectors of 'underwater' material. It is perhaps rather pretentious of me to suggest which contemporay books in print or recently out of print will become classics, but then, its my website!!! I have particularly enjoyed the books listed, both for their content and literary competence (such as I am able to judge), and for these reasons, they will remain important works on their subject matter even if they are not granted 'classic' status in the years to come. In mentioning literary merit, I must admit that many old and some recent books which lack such merit are now collectors items if price is any criteria. So, who am I to judge. 

    And who am I?
    I am Peter Stone, recreational diver, ex photo-journalist, author, and proprietor of Oceans Enterprises, a publishing and book distribution company specialising in underwater books, based in south-east Australia. I believe I have a pretty good knowledge of what sustains a good diving book, but I am always open to suggestions. Generally the reviews and comments on this site are my own - others are indicated as such - so feel free to comment and criticise, and certainly add your knowledge so that others may enjoy. Contact Peter.

    Do you have an old diving book but without a dust jacket?
    Check out the listings and if there is an image of the cover, Oceans Enterprises may be able to provide a computer-generated copy of an original dust jacket complete with special archive clear plastic covering. They look better than an old and torn original. Also ideal to put over an original cover for protection. Increases the value of the book, and certainly makes it look and feel a whole lot better. Cost $25.00 (Australian dollars).

    Did you enjoy this site, and found it useful?
    Please email me if you have found this website to be useful. And thank you to the many people who have done so with kind comment - much appreciated. 

    Interested in the history of diving?
    Of course you are, otherwise you would not be on this website. Then why not consider joining your local chapter of an Historic Diving Society. There are independent societies in the UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Canada, France, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Italy and Poland. Perhaps others? Of course, you need not be living in a particular country to join that country's society. If you live in a country where there is no society, perhaps you would consider forming one. To find relevant addresses from those countries listed, see the Australian website http://www.classicdiver.org.

    Books for sale? Or an enquiry? 
    Please note - the specific books listed on this Classic Dive Books website are NOT OFFERED FOR SALE. They are listed here for the convenience of collectors and anyone interested in diving literature. If you are after a particular book, or have a book for sale, by all means contact Peter - I may be able to help. I am not a qualified book valuer so please do not contact me for a specific evaluation. You may like to post your book offer or enquiry on the new webpage for such purposes. Link here. There is no charge. 

    Looking for second-hand diving books?
    As indicated on the many websites, the specific books used for this compilation are not for sale - details are from personal collections and are listed as an aid to the collector.  Link to Dealers and Collectors for possible sale sources. Contact me if you are after a particular book, or have books for sale. And feel free to contact me with any suggestions, criticisms, and new books to be listed. 

    Recent acknowledgements:
    Thankyou Peter Hardy, commercial diver and now ROV operator - and avid collector - for recent additions tro the list. To Chris and Cathy Deane, once again many thanks for your hospitality and friendship - and thanks Chris for giving me carte blanche access to your collection where I photographed and documented a dozen books that were not listed on this site. Thankyou Geoff Clark from New Zealand for images and details of three 'treasure' books that were not previously listed. A special thankyou to David Fenton, a Scottish diver now living in California, for some two hundred and fifty dust jacket images that I have including on the site. I am sure this is very much appreciated by anyone who visits this site - and makes me very envious of David's collection. Thankyou also to Mario Bertora in New Zealand for several excellent images and information. 

    Major Contributors:
    Stephan Aldebert SA
    Bob Bamford BB
    Alexander Becker AB
    Massimo Bertoni MBE 
    Mario Bertora MB
    Geoff Clark GC
    David Crooks DC
    Chris Deane CD
    Abel Domenech AB
    Alan Down AD
    David Fenton DF
    Mike Giltzow MG
    Gordon Graham GG
    Peter Hardy PH
    Shawn Henry SH
    Larry Koolkin LK
    Robert Marx RX
    Richard Meier RM
    Sam Miller SM
    Vincent O'Donnell VO
    Bob Rieseberg BR
    Loren Rieseberg LR
    Darren Smith DS
    Francis Smith FS
    Peter Stone PS
    Phil Thurtle PT
    Des Williams DW

    This CLASSIC DIVE BOOKS website is sponsored by:

    For
    OCEANS ENTERPRISES
    homepage, link on graphic.
    OCEANS ENTERPRISES
    Publishers and Distributors
    303 Commercial Road, Yarram, Vic 3971, Australia
    Phone (03) 5182 5108   International  61 3 5182 5108
    Email: peter@oceans.com.au