See Sir Malcolm Campbell Breaking the World’s Water Speed Record

Two-sided flick book (5 x 7.5 x 1cm approx.) showing, to one side, Malcolm Campbell in his vehicle ‘Bluebird’ speeding across the water of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland; to the other we see him donning his hat in preparation; pp. [l] of black and white photographic pages; a particularly good example, the staple rusted, as is common, but holding the pages firmly; a little rubbing to edges but otherwise excellent. 

A lovely surviving example of this promotional flick book, designed by Castrol oil as a promotional item in celebration of Sir Malcolm Campbell breaking the water speed record in September 1937 : The Rolls-Royce engine of his “Bluebird” was lubricated with Wakefield Patent Castrol” they proudly declare to the inside cover. The black and white are taken courtesy of British Movietone News. 

Blue Bird K3 was a hydroplane powerboat commissioned in 1937 by Sir Malcolm Campbell, to rival the Americans' efforts in the fight for the world water speed record. After Campbell broke the land speed record in 1935, he switched his attention to the water. On the 1st September he set a record of 126.32 mph, and the next day he broke his own record, achieving a speed of 129.5 mph. 

Campbell died in 1948, and was one of the few land speed record holders of his era to die of natural causes. 

Scarce in this condition. 

SKU: 1800173