Next instalment of quirky history series

Returning to our books section this month is Peter Laister, a  former deck officer in the Merchant Navy who – along with his wife – has spent decades collecting china used aboard British merchant ships and taking high-quality photographs for publication. We reviewed the third volume of this set back in March 2021.

Once again, the well-presented pictures of china are a jumping-off point for the well-researched text. This covers the history of more than 200 British and Commonwealth companies during the period when the country dominated world trade. There's plenty to enjoy here both for Laister's fellow collectors, and for those who are less interested in china but would like a rather different way to begin their journey into maritime history.

Mariners' Memorabilia Vol. 4: a guide to the china of British shipping companies of the 19^th and 20^th centuries
By Peter Laister
Bernard McCall Publishing, £12.00
ISBN: 978 19029 53991