item number |
To order, email tenpound@shore.net |
| 1. | Allen, Joseph. LIFE OF THE EARL OF DUNDONALD... Lon. 1861. xii, 362 pp. Allen, a professional writer of naval history, condenses Cochrane's windy 2 volume biography, and adds from other sources. The Earl of Dundonald, Cochrane was the model for Jack Aubrey in O'Brian's saga. Minor wear, VG in original decorated cloth. $150 |
| 2. | “An Officer of the Expedition.” LETTERS WRITTEN DURING THE LATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY IN THE WESTERN ARCTIC SEA. Lon. 1821. b/w plates, map. 124 pp. This was Parry’s first attempt at discovering a northwest passage. The expedition was frozen in for ten months. These letters describe the wintering over. Melville Island was discovered on this voyage and is described, along with, “wintering at Winter Harbour... the Canadian arctic waters and their ice, the arctic night, the activities of the crews and the weather.” Arctic Bib. 9949. First edition of this scarce account. Rebound in modern cloth over boards. Text and plates clean and fresh, $750 See Illustration |
| 3. | (Andre, Benoit.) MÉMOIRES DE PAUL JONES, OÙ IL EXPOSE SES PRINCIPAUX SERVICES, ET RAPPELLE CE QUI LUI EST ARRIVÉ DE PLUS REMARQUABLE PENDANT LE COURS DE LA RÉVOLUTION AMÉRICAINE, PARTICULIÉREMENT EN EUROPE, ÉCRITS PAR LUI- MÊME EN ANGLAIS, ET TRADIUTS SOUS SES YEUX PAR LE CITOYEN ANDRÉ. Paris. 1798. 12mo. xix, 244 pp. This is the first edition of the rare first biography of John Paul Jones. Seitz says the book is made up from the narrative, “Journal for the King” which Jones presented to Louis XVI. André was Jones’ secretary. He translated the “Journal” and subsequently published the manuscript as these Mémoires. See Howes J228; Rosenbach 375; Seitz, p.182. Rebound in antique style full calf with gilt spine decorations and label. Text and engraved frontispiece in Fine condition. $1000 |
| 4. | Anon. DENNY'S DUMBARTON. Lon. n.d. (1932). Color and b/w plates, ills, ads. Oblong 4to. 113 (ie., 226) pp. plus lxiv illustrated ads. Celebrates the history of this proud shipbuilding firm. Many vessels, from yachts to liners, pictured. Also schematics and specs of powerplants, and over 100 illustrated ads for marine firms. Good $85 |
| 5. | Anon. LETTERS INTERCEPTED ON BOARD THE ADMIRAL APLIN, CAPTURED BY THE FRENCH; AND INSERTED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IN THE MONITEUR... Lon. 1804. iv, 107, 48 pp. Apparently, a propaganda piece from the Napoleonic Wars. The book purports to be a series of communications proposing and planning for an invasion of France by the British, which, naturally enough, was being used to whip up anti-British sentiment in France. The editors publish them here in hopes of vindicating Britain “from those erroneous interpretations of their feelings.” Title page tipped in with tape, bottom edge torn with slight loss to imprint. Otherwise a nice copy, bound in later full calf. Scarce. $300 |
| 6. | Anon. MEDICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL COMMENTARIES. Phila. 1794. vii, 531 pp. This is one of those books that turns up in the bottom of a box with some others of greater interest. It is an American publication of a collection of articles by a group of medical men in Edinburgh. Happily, it contains several articles on scurvy, naval medicine, and on barometers, thermometers and the like. It is also in a very nice old calf binding. $75 |
| 7. | Anon. NARRATIVE OF THE LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES... Hudson, (NY). 1800. 12mo. 118 pp. The ship was headed from Bengal to London when she encountered a terrible gale, which strained her so badly she had to be run ashore on the African coast. Most of the crew made it back to safety. Huntress speculates that the account “may have been published primarily to help the campaign against slavery.” It was printed first in London, and contains a plea to President Adams to help “alleviate the sorrows of humanity.” This American edition repeats that plea verbatim. A popular work. The first issue was in 1798. Huntress 127C. Evans 38571. Rebound in modern cloth. $75 |
| 8;. | Anon. OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS AND INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THE FRENCH FLEET... 1794... BY THE BRITISH FLEET UNDER THE COMMAND OF ADMIRAL EARL HOWE... Lon. 1794. Folding frontispiece engraving, fldg. table. ii, 36 pp. Work commemorating the so-called "Glorious First of June" in which Lord Howe and the British fleet defeated Villaret de Joyeuse and the French fleet in the north Atlantic. This was the first major sea battle of the Revolutionary War, (1793-1801) and the occasion of much rejoicing in England, even though the victory was less than total. This copy with engraved frontispiece battle plan which folds out to about 11" x 14", and folding table of the British and French lines of battle. NMM Catalog V, 1797. Fourth edition. Old minor repair to gutter margin of frontispiece, scattered light foxing. A very handsome copy bound in full calf with spine label and gold rules. $650 |
| 9. | Anon. THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH: WITH SOME ADDITIONAL MEMORANDA RELATING TO HIM. Cambridge. 1867. 7 pp. Charles Deane examined this will, which was provided for him by Henry Adams who was at that time secretary to his father Charles Francis, US Minister to England. The "additional Memoranda" pertain to Smith's prospectus for his Generall Historie. Also, Smith's Epitaph is reprinted here. Reprinted from MHS Proceedings in a limited edition of 50 copies, this one inscribed by Charles Deane. VG in lightly worn morocco over marbled boards with some edgewear. $75 |
| 10. | Anon. THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PAUL JONES, THE ENGLISH PIRATE. Lon. n.d. b/w wood engravings. 12mo. 12 pp. Not in Seitz, but similar to several such productions, issued about the time of the War of 1812. This one is from “The Juvenile Library, No. 4” Each page is illustrated with a dramatic woodcut of one of Jones’ adventures. Original pictorial wraps bound into boards. 2 pages of ads on back wrap. VG $250 |
| 11. | Anon. THE LIFE, VOYAGES AND SEA BATTLES OF THAT CELEBRATED SEAMAN, COMMODORE PAUL JONES Derby. n.d. (ca. 1830) Fldg. color frontis. 24 pp. Scarce English pamphlet portraying our national hero as a smuggler and an ambitious turncoat, only to finally give him his due as a brave and tireless officer. Seitz, p. 222, citing the “brilliantly colored frontispiece” which, in this copy, is intact and fresh. An excellent copy in original printed wraps. $650 |
| 12. | Atkin, William and John (editors) THE FIRST BOOK OF BOATS. Darien, CT. (1947). b/w illus. 143 pp. A classic small boat book. Nice collection of plans, designs, opinions and ideas by various authors. First edition. Toy, 5049. VG. $35 |
| 13. | Atkin, William W. et al. FORTY DESIGNS FOR POSTWAR BOATS. NY. (1944) b/w ills. and plans. 4to. 176 pp From dinghies to cruisers. Designed and described with the amateur builder in mind. VG $100 |
| 14. | Barton, Charles Crillon. MANIFEST OF THE CHARGES PREFERRED TO THE NAVY DEPARTMENT... AGAINST JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT... FOR UNLAWFUL CONDUCT WHILE COMMODORE OF THE LATE MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON, AND A REFUTATION OF THE RECRIMINATION RAISED BY THAT OFFICER. n.p. 1839. 46, xxiv pp. After the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, Elliott was accused by some of not giving Perry sufficient aid. Though he was vindicated by Congress the charges lingered and in 1818 Elliott challenged Perry to a duel. Perry tried to have him court martialed, but President Monroe wisely buried the unseemly affair. During Elliott’s command of the Boston Navy Yard, a prankster sawed the head off the figurehead of Andrew Jackson on the Constitution. Elliott subsequently got into this scrape in the Mediterranean. Barton, who was injured in a duel, was disciplined by Elliott, against whom he then brought charges of cruelty. Smith says, “These charges, submitted by 13 disgruntled officers, were upheld by court-martial and Elliott was suspended for a short period.” Smith II, 2120. Howes B-215. Neeser, 8245. Another chapter in the fascinating but troubled career of Elliott. Bound in 19th century cloth over marbled boards. Scarce. $250 |
| 15. | Battenberg, Prince Louis of. MEN-OF-WAR NAMES. Lon. 1908. 12mo. ix, 359 pp. Britain, Europe, US and Asia. Derivations and meanings. 2nd ed. VG $50 |
| 16. | Boys, Edward. NARRATIVE OF A CAPTIVITY AND ADVENTURES IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS... Lon. 1831. b/w folding charts, plates. VI, 258 PP. Boys was a midshipman aboard the Royal Navy’s frigate Phoebe during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1803 they were sent to guard the port of Toulon. They captured a Genoese merchant vessel and Boys was sent as a prize master to take the ship to Nelson, then off Spain. On the way she was recaptured by the French, and Boys and his mates were thrown in the clink. Most of the rest of the book is taken up with an engaging account of their adventures and escapes in France. This second edition has additional plates, and is very prettily bound in in full blue calf with gilt inner dentelles, cover lozenges and gilt spine decoration. $350 |
| 17. | Brackenridge, H.M. VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA PERFORMED BY ORDER OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IN THE YEARS 1817 AND 1818 IN THE FRIGATE CONGRESS. Balt. 1819 Fldg. map. colored in outline. 2 vols. xv, 351; 381 pp. Close observation of South American politics, customs, geography, etc., at a time when these countries were becoming vital to America’s expanding economy. With handcolored folding map. “During this voyage the expedition visited Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Chile, etc.”—Hill 176. Borba deMoraes I p. 103. Sabin 7179. Smith II 2183. Original calf, rebacked to match, with spine labels. Folding map evenly tanned. VG Scarce. 2 vols. $750 |
| 18. | Brewington, M.V. CHESAPEAKE BAY BUGEYES. Newport News, VA. 1941. b/w plates, folding plans. x, 117 pp. Expert’s monograph on this unique American vessel type, descended from aboriginal craft. With section of folding lines and plans. First edition. VG. $60 |
| 19. | Brewington, M.V. CHESAPEAKE BAY LOG CANOES. PART TWO Newport News, 1937 b/w plates. unpaginated. Scarce First Edition of this work. Part Two only. This is the plate volume, containing 25 sail plans and lines of 11 different log canoes and racing canoes. Wraps, VG $125 |
| 20. | Briggs, L. Vernon. HISTORY OF SHIPBUILDING ON THE NORTH RIVER, PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS. Norwell, Ma 1981 b/w plates. xv, 420 pp. Handsome reprint in slipcase. VG $75 |
| 21. | Bruce-Mitford, C.E. THE TERRITORY OF WEI-HAI-WEI. Shanghai. n.d. (ca.1902.) b/w plates, folding map. 51, (3) pp. plus 11 pages illustrated ads. Weihaiwei is a Chinese treaty port in the vicinity of Port Arthur, captured by the Japanese in 1895, then lost by them to the Russians in 1898 and leased by them to Britain. This curious little book gives a detailed description of the topography and history of the place. It is dedicated “to every lover of the empire” which ought to give you some idea of its general bias. $85 |
| 22. | Bunting, W. H. (editor) STEAMERS, SCHOONERS CUTTERS, AND SLOOPS. Bos. 1974. b/w plates. Oblong 4to. 126 pp. “Marine photographs of N. L. Stebbins taken from 1884 to 1907”. VG, dj. $40 |
| 23. | Bureau of Navigation. FLAGS OF MARITIME NATIONS. Wash. 1868. Color plates. (6, 18) pp. 18 color lithograph plates show about 60 flags and pennants of the maritime nations of the world. This is a very early edition. The first having been published in 1861. Circular stamp of the Bureau of Navigation on title page, else VG, plate clean and bright, in later buckram binding. $150 |
| 24. | Burney, William. THE BRITISH NEPTUNE; OR, A HISTORY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ROYAL NAVY... Lon. 1812. b/w plates, fldg map. vi, 490 pp. Burney was a naval instructor at the Naval Academy at Gosport, and was also the author of The Naval Heroes of Great Britain. With 8 engraved battle scenes and folding map. Anecdotes, historical narratives and lists of vessels depict British Navy on the eve of the War of 1812. The first edition of this work was published in 1807. This styles itself "A new edition Illustrated with Plates." Not in NMM Cat. Contemporary calf, rebacked in antique style with spine label. $400 See Illustration |
| 25. | Cable, Frank T. THE BIRTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN SUBMARINE. NY. 1924. b/w plates. xix, 337 pp. An unaccountably scarce history of the submarine in America. “Important for information on the development of our embryo submarine fleet, and contributions of ... Holland to submarine design. Cable was associated with Electric Boat Company.” Anderson, 175. Original boards, some coverwear, a Good copy. $125 |