Around the World on a Nickel (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good in Good Plus DJ. Slight spine lean. Book shows a bit of edgewear and light chipping to dust jacket, now protected in mylar. Inscribed and signed on front free endpaper, with a 1941 nickel scotch-taped to the page saying "Attached is the fare for one world tour if used according to directions". Several black and white illustrations. Note: The nickel is tarnished on all parts except that beneath the piece of tape. Full obituary from the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner laid in at rear. 314 pp. The story of the author's first trip around the world, from 1958 to 1960 in which his net costs were 5 cents. The book describes how he gave up the comfort and security of a good job and ventured into the unknown and saw a large slice of life in other parts of the world. [Bedford's] ".nickel tour carried the author into the reindeer country above the Arctic Circle and down into the pygmy territory deep in the Ituri Rainforest of the Congo. He traveled by thumb, motor scooter bicycle, train, truck, bus, donkey cart and ship -- not to mention the many weary miles on foot." (front flap). During one segment of his 18-month world-wanderings, Mr. Bedford traveled 250,000 miles between Italy and Ceylon, aboard a Vespa motorscooter. He managed to support himself along the way by doing freelance work and taking odd jobs. The book was published in India by Vir Publishing House, which was absorbed by Associated Publishing House. Besides his journalism career which took him to several newspapers, Bedford went on to teach (1965-1981) and later become Chair of the Journalism and Photography department at UAF (University of Alaska at Fairbanks). He was born in 1927 and died in 1990. Of his fabulous adventure, Jimmy Bedford quipped: "It cost a nickel but I've always said it was worth every penny of it".

Hardcover. Dust Jacket Included. First Edition. First Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Author. Bedford, Jimmy. AROUND THE WORLD ON A NICKEL. Inscribed. India:: Vir Publishing House, 1967. 8vo., 314pp. Illustrated through with photos. A very good example of a rarely encountered superb travel book. Cinnabar red cloth covered boards with stamped yellow titles on upper cover & spine. In a very good example of the most uncommon dustwrapper, the spine sunned showing moderate use. The story of the author's trip around the world from 1958 to 1960. A neat Presentation Copy, signed & inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: "For The / Garnet McRosties / with deep appreciation / for your warm hospitality / during my trip - / And your selfless contributions / to the people of Africa - / Best wishes from the author - / Jimmy Bedford / Christmas 1968" On page 105 of the book: "An African gardener came from a nearby house with some cool, filtered water for me and offered to take me to the American mission . Mrs. McCrostie of Golden, Colo., invited me right in, started fixing a pitcher of cold apple cider, and told me to make myself at home. . She apologized that her husband, Garnett, was out in the bush but would return for supper and she was putting on an extra place for me". [A few ink marks throughout & on pp. 104, 105 & 106 where the recipients noted their mention by the author]. A very uncommon book. Printed in India in a small run, few copies have surfaced. Jimmy B. Bedford (June 10, 19271990) was the former head of the University of Alaska Fairbanks journalism department where there is a Jimmy B. Bedford Memorial Scholarship set up in his honor. As a professor of journalism & photography, he was supportive of native Alaska writers: he wrote the foreword for the autobiography of Emily Ivanoff Brown ("Ticasuk"). His papers including the typescript for his "Around The World On A Nickel", are housed at University of Alaska, Fairbanks, consisting of materials documenting Bedford's personal & professional interests & his career in photojournalism & the teaching of journalism & photography. Also found in the collection are files relating to the journalism department of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where Bedford spent most of his teaching career, & to Afghanistan, where he spent a year as a Fulbright scholar in the early 1960s. There are also small amounts of material relating to the University of Kansas & the University of Maryland, where he held his first teaching positions.