Vintage 1968 OSTAR Press Photos: Yacht Spirit of Cutty Sark (Set of 3) For Sale

Up for sale is a rare, vintage trilogy of original 1968 black-and-white press photographs capturing a significant moment in British maritime history.The three sequential photos document Royal Navy Lieutenant and ocean racing pioneer Leslie (Les) Williams preparing his famous Gallant 53 yacht, Spirit of Cutty Sark (Racing No. 9), for the grueling 1968 Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR). The images beautifully capture a family lowering essential water supplies and provisions from the harbor wall in Plymouth down to Williams on deck just before departure. Williams famously went on to secure a 4th place finish in the race. The vessel itself later became the Express Crusader, sailed by Dame Naomi James during her historic solo circumnavigation in 1978.Photographer: Authenticated via identical original ink stamps on the reverse of all three prints for Colin Rowe Photography (Tavistock Road, Plymouth). Rowe was a prominent mid-century Devon photojournalist and the BBC’s first full-time film cameraman in the South West.Quantity: 3 original photographic prints forming a complete narrative sequence.Condition: Vintage archive condition with minor handling wear consistent with age, retaining excellent contrast and clarity. (Note: One print has a small piece of archive tape on the edge).A fantastic, authentic set for collectors of maritime history, yachting memorabilia, or vintage regional photo journalism.