It's already late November, which means the holidays will be here in the blink of an eye. Why not get an early jump on your shopping and support ship history at the same time?  

The Steamship Historical Society of America (SSHSA), a Warwick-based nonprofit dedicated to the history of engine-powered ships, is kicking off the holiday season with a massive book sale to benefit its one-of-a-kind archive, gallery and library.

The sale will take place Friday, Dec. 2 from noon to 5 p.m. and the following day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ship History Center, 2500 Post Road, Warwick.

More than 800 surplus nautical books will be on sale, with all of the proceeds supporting SSHSA’s efforts to share America’s maritime heritage with Rhode Island and the rest of the world. There will be exclusive in-store deals each day and plenty of hard-to-find books for sale, so be sure to stop in early. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or the maritime history buff in your life, there are some truly great finds among the organization’s inventory.

SSHSA opened its doors to the public for the first time last fall, giving visitors a chance to experience an archive that comprises hundreds of thousands of images, artifacts, periodicals, artwork, official records and memorabilia that help tell the extensive history of engine-powered vessels, their passengers and their crews. In addition to the book sale, the Ship History Center is open for tours from 12 to 4 p.m. each Wednesday-Friday. Entrance is free for SSHSA members, with a suggested donation of $8 for the general public.

Visit www.sshsa.org or call 463-3570 for more information.