item number |
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| 101. | Spilbergen, Joris van. THE EAST AND WEST INDIAN MIRROR. BEING AN ACCOUNT OF JORIS VAN SPIELBERGEN’S VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD (1614-1617), AND THE AUSTRALIAN NAVIGATIONS OF JACOB LE MAIRE. Lon. 1906. b/w folding plates and maps. (lxii), (6), 272, 40 pp. Translated, with notes and an introduction by J.A.J. de Villiers. Spilbergen was sent to the East Indies to reassert Dutch power there. He attacked the Spanish in Chile, and blockaded Callao. At Java, he took Le Maire aboard, first man to round Cape Horn, who died on the way home. See Hill 1619 who cites an early Dutch reprint. This is the best English translation, and most reliable translation since the first edition of 1619. Spine lightly sunned, else a near Fine, fresh copy of a scarce account. $150 |
| 102. | Spruance, Benton. MOBY DICK: THE PASSION OF AHAB. Barre, MA. (1968) Color litho plates. Folio. Unpaginated. Folio-sized text and large portfolio of 26 dramatic color lithographs by Spruance. With critical text by Lawrance Thompson. The lithos illustrate excerpts from Moby Dick set in blank-verse form. An interesting experiment, housed in a 17x23 inch clamshell box. VG. $400 |
| 103. | Staples, William R. THE DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE. COMPILED FOR THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL. Providence. 1845. 4to., 56 pp. A compilation of accounts of the pre-Revolutionary War destruction of the British schooner HMS Gaspee in 1772 near the mouth of the Providence River in Narragansett Bay. First ed. Bound in half calf over marbled boards with original wrappers bound in. $200 |
| 104. | (Steel, David.) THE ART OF SAIL-MAKING, AS PRACTISED IN THE ROYAL NAVY, AND ACCORDING TO THE MOST APPROVED METHODS IN THE MERCHANT-SERVICE, ... Lon. 1809. b/w frontis and ills. 188 pp. The second edition, corrected and improved. First published as part of Steel’s Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship in 1794, “but the order in which it has been presented has been entirely revised... the tables of sail dimensions have been re-set in a more readable form.” - Witt 40. Includes an explanation of terms, which is expanded in this edition. Thorough. Original boards, uncut, paper spine lacking; child’s crayon scribbling on front endpaper, a few gatherings loose, but a clean copy, with a contemporary owner’s signature of one John Buswell on the flyleaf. $300
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| 105. | Stobart, John and Robert P. Davis. STOBART. THE REDISCOVERY OF AMERICA’S MARITIME HERITAGE. NY. (1985). color plates. Oblong folio. xiv, 208 pp. Popular marine artist brings America’s maritime heritage to life with over 60 full page color plates of his paintings. Many of these are port scenes, and the accompanying descriptions contain a good bit of historical information. Four line inscription signed by Stobart. First Edition. About Fine in dj. $200 |
| 106. | Taber, Augustus (Publisher) NEW BEDFORD AND FAIRHAVEN SIGNAL BOOK. 1848. New Bedford. 1848. Hand colored ills. 91 pp. Hand colored plates on the verso of each page (3 flags per page) show flags for each of the vessels that sailed from this port. Some annotations in pencil, such as, “A red flag denotes a ship in Tarpaulin Cove.” Quite scarce, OCLC locating no copies of this edition. Tipped into the back of the book is a 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch sheet on which 42 flags have been drawn and colored. The heading is “Nantucket Signals.” A singular addition to a rare book. Bound in original 1/4 black calf over cloth. Minor cover wear. Plates are clean and binding is sound. $2500
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| 107. | The Commissioners of Emigration. REVISED LAWS CONCERNING PASSENGERS IN VESSELS COMING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF EMIGRANTS. NY. 1850. 34 pp. Written toward the end of the Irish Famine, when outrage about the deplorable conditions on Irish emigration ships had begun to spread, these laws outline duties of masters and protection of emigrants. They related primarily to health and welfare standards. An article aimed at stemming the influx of paupers required the owners of the vessel to post a bond indemnifying them against transporting indigents. On the emigrant side, boarding houses had to be licensed and provisions for the safety of personal belongings were outlined. An interesting document. Original printed wraps. A bit dusty but VG. $125 |
| 108. | (Thomas, Moses, publisher.) ANALECTIC MAGAZINE. VOLUME 4. (JULY-DECEMBER 1814).. Phila. 1813. b/w plates. 524 pp. Volume 4 (July-December 1814) featuring a short review of the second edition of Thomas Clarke’s Naval History of the United States, a biography of Porter accompanied by an engraved portrait, and a two-part review of Porter’s soon to be published “Journal of a Cruise” in which he is referred to as “our American Anson.” The November issue contains the first printing, after contemporary newspapers, of Francis Scott Key’s “Defence of Fort McHenry,” the future national anthem (pages 433 and 434). $1000 |
| 109. | Thornton, John Wingate. THE LANDING AT CAPE ANNE... Bos. 1854. b/w folding frontis. and map. xii, 84 pp. “The charter of the first permanent colony on the territory of the Massachusetts Company. Now discovered and first published from the original manuscript. With an inquiry into its authority and a history of the colony 1624-1628.” Scarce. Howes T-226. Some cover wear, text clean and tightly bound. $100 |
| 110. | (Treasury Dept., Bureau of Navigation, etc.) LISTS OF MERCHANT VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES. 1868 - 1969. Washington, various dates. Color and b/w plates, ills. Various paginations. A century’s worth of Lists of Merchant Vessels, lacking only a few years, and with no extended gaps. All the texts and most of the bindings are in Good - VG condition, with the exception of the 1860s and 70s, which were bound in fragile leather which has split, leaving the boards present but detached. Many are removed from various customs houses, depositories and government and institutional libraries. Aside from title page stamps almost none of them are marred by excessive library markings. One volume, 1923, is lacking pp. 122-138, which were never bound in. The rest are complete. Missing volumes are: 1867 (the First Annual), 1869, 1870, 1873, 1875, 1876, 1880, 1883, 1886, 1891, 1933, 1935, 1937, 1940, 1947-49, 1960, 1965-67. The very rare 1917 volume is present in this run. Each volume provides physical specifications for every registered seagoing vessel and yacht, whether sailing or steam, along with number, signal letters, where and when built, home port, and name of owner. This is an unparalleled research tool for treasure hunters, historians and maritime researchers of all sorts. 81 volumes, $8500 |
| 111. | Tucker, Ethel & Catherine F. GLIMPSES OF BERMUDA. (Hamilton) n.d. Tipped in color plates. Unpaginated. (36 pp.) A pretty little booklet. Text plus 12 tipped in plates of watercolor scenes of Bermuda by Ethel and Catherine Tucker. Hallett says of the authors, "These talented and enterprising sisters ran the Little Green Shop... and the Little Green Door — a tea room opposite the Bermudiana Hotel and frequented by Mark Twain and Dean Howells" Hallett p. 196. VG in original decorated wraps, a VG copy. $40 |
| 112. | U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. PACIFIC COAST PILOT. ALASKA. PART I. Wash. 1883. Folding charts and views. 4to. ix, 333 pp. Covers the Alaska coast from Dixon Entrance to Yakutat Bay. The 16 charts and 13 sheets of views picture entrances, harbors and towns as they appeared in the 19th century. Ricks, p. 227. VG copy in original half leather over marbled boards. $350
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| 113. | U.S. Department of State. THE UNITED STATES CONSULAR SYSTEM: MANUAL FOR CONSULS, AND ALSO FOR MERCHANTS, SHIPOWNERS AND MASTERS IN THEIR CONSULAR TRANSACTIONS. Wash. 1856. 347, 79, xviii pp “Comprising the instructions of the department of state in regard to consular emoluments, duties, privileges and liabilities.” Throughout the 19th century America’s consuls in various ports were lifelines for our burgeoning mercantile fleet. They handled trade affairs, ironed out political wrinkles and provided services to shipowners, officers and crew. These are laid out in great detail here, along with a history of the consular service beginning in 1792. Also reproduced are 77 pages of the various forms that consuls might be expected to fill out in the course of their labors. This book is a necessary reference for anyone seriously interested in understanding 19th century maritime affairs. It is presented to M. S. Ferris by James Buchanan, though the signature is probably secretarial. VG in original government cloth. $250 |
| 114. | U.S. Navy. LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN RELATION TO THE NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT, AND MARINE CORPS... Wash. 1826 xxiii, (13)-198 pp. Scarce compilation of naval laws, only the second such issued in the United States. Divided into several sections including: Accountability in the Navy Department, Contracts, Courts Martial, Marine Corps, Navy, Navy Board, Government of the Navy, Pensions, Navy Hospitals, Crime of Piracy, Prizes & Prize Money, Resolutions (listing medals and other Congressional awards bestowed on naval heroes to 1826) and Slave Trade. See Smith III, 3601 and Moebs 19. With the ownership signature of Captain (later Rear Admiral) Thomas Selfridge, U.S.N. on the front flyleaf. Selfridge was last to leave the Cumberland after she’d been sunk by the Merrimac. He later surveyed the Isthmus of Darien for the interoceanic canal, and published his memoires in 1924. This copy is bound in contemporary quarter sheep with paper label. Spine ends and extremities worn with a bit of worm-holing in boards (not affecting text). $600 |
| 115. | U.S. Navy. LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN RELATION TO THE NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT, AND THE MARINE CORPS; DIGESTED IN PURSUANCE OF A RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE, OF THE 18TH OF MARCH, 1814. n.p. n.d. 12mo. 144, ix pp. This is the earliest recorded printed compilation of laws relative to the Navy. There is some question as to whether this volume was printed in Washington or not, considering British action within that city during 1814. Regardless, it is a very scarce work. See Smith, "American Naval Bib. vol. II", 3503 and Harbeck "Bib. of U.S. Navy" p. 131. This is the copy of “Lt. Commdt. Thos. Brown, U.S. Navy,” with his signature on a front flyleaf. Brown received a Midshipman’s warrant in April 1801. He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1807. During the War of 1812 he served on Lake Ontario with Commodore Chauncey commanding first the Governor Tompkins, then Oneida. He was promoted to Master Commandant in March of 1815, and to Captain in 1825. He died in November 1828. Original paper backed boards and calf spine, with edge-wear to the boards, but in remarkably good shape. Part of a front flyleaf torn away. $1000
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| 116. | Ulloa, Don Antonio de A VOYAGE TO SOUTH-AMERICA. Lon. 1758. b/w folding plates, maps. 2 vols. xvi, (8), 509; (4), 420,(16) pp. First English edition, an abridged translation of Ulloa’s Relacion Historica. Ulloa was a member of the Spanish navy who accompanied the French on a scientific expedition to South America. Hill says, “The end result was a fund of important scientific observations in various fields, as well as the knowledge that the earth was not perfectly spherical, but flattened at the poles.” Hill 1739 and 1741. Sabin 36873. Bound in antique style calf over marbled boards with original labels. A very nice set. $1250 |
| 117. | Vanderbilt, Harold S. ON THE WIND’S HIGHWAY. RANGER, RAINBOW AND RACING. NY. 1939. Color frontis., b/w plates. 4to. xi, 259 pp. “A handsome book... which describes the evolution of J-Class boats... Vanderbilt's defense of the... Cup in Rainbow in 1934, and the design, construction and successful Cup defense of the super-J-Boat Ranger, designed by W. Starling Burgess and Olin J. Stephens... Ranger was so superior to all other boats in her class that Vanderbilt feared she might be, as she was, the last of them to be built.” -Toy 1627. Morris & Howland p. 148. Rulon-Miller #19. An important America’s Cup book. This is a superb copy of the first edition, in original pictorial covers, with transparent plastic dj. still intact. You will never see a finer copy of this scarce and desirable book. $850 See Illustration |
| 118. | Verrill, A.E. THE BERMUDA ISLANDS. AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR SCENERY, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, PHYSIOGRAPHY, NATURAL HISTORY AND GEOLOGY, WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR DISCOVERY AND EARLY HISTORY, AND THE CHANGES IN THEIR FLORA AND FAUNA DUE TO MAN. New Haven. 1902. b/w plates, folding map. x, 576 pp. plus 100 plates. This book has a complicated bibliography. To make a long story short, it was originally issued in 5 parts, the first three of which are gathered here and represented in the title. Parts 4 and 5 were later issued in another volume, not present here. They were concerned with Bermuda’s paleontology and coral reefs. See Hallett p. 204, who calls it “an extensive and compendious work.” Some cover spotting and wear, but clean internally, and scarce. $250 |
| 119. | Watlington, F. THE LOG BOOK OF NOAH’S ARK. Bos. (1906) b/w plates 331 pp. From his study at Sailor’s Snug Harbor in New York, this retired seaman has thought deeply into the reality of Noah’s epic voyage. He gets the dimensions of the 547 foot vessel straight from the bible, and spends a chapter on the particulars of its construction. As for stocking the ark, “The probabilities are that Noah would insert in some commercial publication - The Punjab Messenger... or the Nuva Yuka Yunyal, an advertisement...” He calculates the date of the flood - 7161 BC, and the ark’s course, then sends the rains down and shows us how the old scow, rigged like a three masted coasting schooner, made her trip. Much esoteric literary, nautical and astronomical knowledge is drawn upon by the author, and his book is guaranteed to provide a diverting read on a cold winter evening. First (and only) edition. VG $125 |
| 120. | Williams, Capt. E.C. LIFE IN THE SOUTH SEAS. HISTORY OF THE WHALE FISHERIES, HABIT OF THE WHALE. PERILS OF THE CHASE... NY. 1860. 32 pp. First and only edition. Williams was a Nantucket whaleman who began touring with a painted panorama which he claimed covered 8000 feet of canvas. It depicted whaling scenes and was accompanied by a live whaleboat and crew. Williams first exhibited in 1858 in Fall River, then moved to Boston and New York. This pamphlet was published to accompany the New York exhibit in 1860. It is composed mostly of snippets from Melville and other sources of whaling lore. See Forster 273. Ingalls 293. Title page shows a light waterstain on the lower part, which continues through the first few leaves. Lacking wrappers, otherwise a complete copy of a rare pamphlet. $400 |