It’s here!  Our first shipment of Thomas O’Brien’s new book American Modern is in the store now!  Get ‘em while they’re hot…

One reason I love Old Town is because it has such a beautiful waterway and wonderful sailing heritage. I love to walk along the marina with my family on warm summer evenings and watch the boats glide slowly along the Potomac. Last Christmas we took the kids on a river cruise with Santa himself. It was a real treat, and one they still talk about.

I was never much of a sailor myself, but I love the old nautical traditions and appreciate the historic significance this mode of travel and trade, adventure and exploration holds all along the Atlantic Coast. It’s what inspired this set of gift ideas. Not all of these items are available online, but what’s not linked below can be ordered by phone* or purchased at the store.

• Sail Seafarer Jute Pillow, $100, a wonderful ode to tall sailing ships, this 22-inch pillow is screened in navy blue with matching piping. You can practically hear the timbers creek and the gulls over head.
• Vaugondy 1745 Noir Globe, $240, this reproduction of a mid-18th century French globe would add a touch of elegance to any office, study or family room.
• Message in a Bottle Kit, $14, they say a message in a bottle can drift halfway around the world before washing up on a distant beach. Now your children can send their very own messages and see where their imaginations take them.
• A Field Guide to Sail Boats of North America, $21, includes illustrations and detailed descriptions of 255 boats, including statistical data such as draft, sail area, and hull construction — perfect for the sailing enthusiast in your life.
• The Paper Captain, $9.95, relive a century of nautical history with facts, figures, and stunning illustrations, then cut out and build 20 beautiful die-cut paper models — designed to float!
• The Louis Vuitton Cup, $75, this stately, illustrated volume offers an impassioned account of the competition’s inception and vision, and a closer look at seven landmark races in the regatta’s history.
• Eye of Time Desk Clock, $42, this smart and portable timepiece features a spherical lens that doubles as a magnifying glass, chrome stem and band.
• Knot Door Stopper, $50, this giant jute rope knot makes an attractive and interesting door stop or accent piece.
• Blown Glass Pearl in Oyster Ornament, $17, add a little undersea shimmer to your Christmas tree this year. Silver shell with pearl white interior.
• Cape Horn Anchor, $29, small brass anchors like this one were displayed beside the entrance to the family cottage to announce the homecoming of seafaring husband or son.
• Sailors Knot keychain, $7.50, monkey’s fist knot keychain with a solid brass shackle closure is expert ditty work — made by fishermen in off-season.
• Replica 19th Century Pocket Compass, $55, a miniature travel version of the ancient mariner’s compass. A set of concentric gimbaled rings make sure the compass always hangs level.

* To order by phone, call 703-838-0355. Our special holiday hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.