photo: Ernest and Collin Ratsey at their City Island NY office

Over the summer the library received a generous donation from the family of Ernest A. Ratsey, the last president of sailmakers Ratsey & Lapthorn, of his maritime book collection. Consisting of over 70 volumes, the majority of the works are inscribed to Ratsey from the author or from friends, often with thanks for sails or sailing help, including; Harold Vanderbilt, Uffa Fox, William P. Stephens, Carleton Mitchell, Charles F. Chapman, Sherman Hoyt, Morris Rosenfeld, and Fessenden Blanchard.

While the collection continues to be cataloged notable items include On the Wind’s Highway and Enterprise, the Story of the Defender of the America’s Cup in 1930–– both written and personally inscribed by Harold S. Vanderbilt. The inscriptions show Vanderbilt’s appreciation of Ratsey & Lapthorn sails, and Ernest also pasted down to a front end-paper the telegram he received from Vanderbilt when “Enterprise” was selected to defend the Cup – he also marked with a paper-clip every page where R&L is mentioned.

Additional Collection items: Under Full Sail, by Morris Rosenfeld, signed by four Rosenfelds–Morris, Stanley, William and David; Vanitie: Her First Racing Years, by George Nichols and William Upham Swan, inscribed by Gerald B. Lambert; and an autographed copy of Uffa Fox’s Sailing, Seamanship and Yacht Construction.

Click on any image below to read inscriptions at full size.