This is a very rare book GURREY, A. R., JR.The Surf Riders of Hawaii. Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii: A. R. Gurrey Jr., [ca. 1914] and comes with booklet one side poem and hand writing and other side photo. (hand write: Entrance to Honolulu harbor- to Mother from Maurice-"Patrick Maurice McMahon") The Book“The Surf Riders of Hawaii” combines stunning photographs with romantic poetry from Lord Byron and Gurrey’s own descriptive prose. The photos are all technically proficient - beautifully composed and fastidiously rendered. Each shot depicts a surfer or surfers riding the waves at Waikiki. From the standpoint of surfing history these images are invaluable. They provide clear documentation of the sport just as it was emerging from a century long period of decline. But they are much more than a just a celluloid chronicle. The eight (8) photos that comprise each of these books actually transcend history through their artistry. A.R. Gurrey managed to impart the intangible with his images; presenting viewers with the true spirit, splendor and visceral joy of wave riding. For the first time the essence of the surfing experience was displayed on film. This was a remarkable achievement, particularly given the technical limitations of the time. Gurrey’s photos are unquestionably the finest surf images of the era – and still a thing of rare beauty today. No one knows how many books were originally produced, or, indeed, exactly when they were produced. Each was hand assembled by the author/photographer some time between 1910 and 1914. Gurrey mounted original photographic prints directly onto heavy paper stock, and then bound the pages together with a colorful cord. This was painstaking work, commanding a great deal of personal attention. His obvious goal was to make every book special – an item precious unto itself. We have been able to verify two “editions” with different paper stock and some slight variation in the selection of photos mounted. This helps make each copy of this book somewhat unique. “The Surf Riders of Hawaii” today holds a revered place in the world of surfing. It is the first book dedicated to the sport and unquestionably a work of art. At the time of this writing only eight (8) copies of the book are known to be in existence. But the importance of this book is not in its scarcity or even the personalized touch of its manufacture. It is the wonderful content.