AROUND THE WORLD ON A NICKEL (SIGNED BY AUTHOR)

New Delhi, India: VIR Publishing House/Associated Publishing House, 1967. Hardcover. 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"