item number |
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| 1. | American Board of Commissioners. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MISSIONARIES ABOUT TO EMBARK FOR THE SANDWICH ISLANDS... Bos. 1823. 21 pp. The first 14 pp. are a sermon by J.P. Evarts to missionaries about to depart for Hawaii on the Thames. Includes references to Hawaii and other missions. Forbes 561. Removed from larger volume. VG $200 |
| 2. | Anon. A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE NAVAL ACTIONS OF THE LAST WAR; IN ORDER TO PROVE THAT THE FRENCH NATION NEVER GAVE SUCH SLENDER PROOFS OF MARITIME GREATNESS AS DURING THAT PERIOD; WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISCIPLINE, AND HINTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT, OF THE BRITISH NAVY. BY AN “OFFICER.” Lon. 1788. viii, 148 pp. folding table. An attempt to defend the supremacy of the British Navy as compared to that of France amidst popular criticism to the contrary. The author uses examples of engagements with French naval forces during the American Revolution to support his point. The table, a summary of the Battle of the Saints, 12 April 1792, during which Admiral Rodney soundly defeated his French adversary, lists the British ships, commanders, guns, men, and casualties. Pages 21-22 describe Paul Jones’ victory in Bon Homme Richard over Captain Richard Pearson in Serapis. “Sneers for the enemy, praise for British valor; even the fight with the Serapis by ‘the desperate English outlaw Paul Jones,’ is a British victory.” - Howes S429. A manuscript note on a copy of this edition in the Royal Navy Library at Portsmouth states that the author may have been a Captain Inglefield. In antique style quarter calf over marbled boards with original paper cover bound in. $1500 |
| 3. | Anon. AWFUL TALE OF SHIPWRECK: LOSS OF STEAMER CITY OF COLUMBUS... New Bedford, MA 1884. 32 pp. “Which foundered on Devil’s Bridge Reef, off Gay Head, Jan. 18, 1884, by which catastrophe one hundred and two persons lost their lives.” The captain apparently fell asleep at the wheel outbound from Boston on the night of January 18th.. The crew took all the available boats and the few passengers who were not washed into the icy seas took refuge in the rigging, where they froze until dawn when help arrived. Fourteen passengers and seventeen crew survived. Gay Head Indians played a part in the rescue and are duly noted here. Quite scarce. OCLC locates only three copies. This one is a little rough, with old celloptape repairs on the title and first leaf. However, it is complete and otherwise clean. $300 |
| 4. | Anon. THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN TEACH, ALIAS BLACK-BEARD. Folio, pp. 203-208 Three folio leaves removed from what is probably an 18th century edition of one of Charles Johnson’s books on highwaymen and pirates. The life of Blackbeard is 2 1/2 pages long, in two columns. The remainder of the text is devoted to “A Proclamation, Publishing the rewards to be given for apprehending or killing Pyrates.” Disbound but clean. $25 |
| 5. | Anon. THE LIFE, TRAVELS, VOYAGES AND DARING ENGAGEMENTS OF PAUL JONES CONTAINING NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF UNDAUNTED COURAGE. Albany. 1813. 24mo. 108 pp. The title page continues, “To Which is Prefixed, the Life and Adventures of Peter Williamson...” Seitz, p. 198, notes “With song of the Serapis fight.” He adds that this narrative is copied from an English chapbook and is full of misinformation - telling us, for example, that Jones died in Kentucky in 1801. An interesting period piece of the Jones legend. Bound in original paper over boards with sheep spine. Some of the paper peeled from the front board, else an excellent copy. $400 |
| 6. | Anon. THE LIFE, TRAVELS, VOYAGES AND DARING ENGAGEMENTS OF PAUL JONES CONTAINING NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF UNDAUNTED COURAGE. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER WILLIAMSON... Albany. 1809. 24mo. 96 pp. Seitz, p. 192. Early edition of a Jones-Williamson combo which was reprinted several times. This copy is unusual in that it has wood engraved decorations on the front and back covers, probably from an earlier chap-book. An interesting example of the vagaries of early printing and binding. Front inner hinge reinforced with tape, else VG, in paper over boards with sheep backstrip. $450 See Illustration |
| 7. | Bethune, C.R.D. RETURNS RELATING TO LIGHTS AND LIGHTHOUSES IN THE BRITISH COLONIES. Lon. 1850. 4to. 137 pp. Reports on lighthouses throughout Britain’s colonies. Features handsome colored foldout maps showing lighthouses in North Africa, West India Islands, India, Australia and America, and text discussing in detail light characteristics and locations, as well as navigational hazards. Bound with lengthy reports on London’s sewers and water supply, and also three reports on Coals Suited to the Steam Navy - a topic of growing interest in 1850 - with diagrams of boilers and steam generating plants. Scattered foxing. Bound in calf over marbled boards with chipped spine labels. $350 |
| 8. | Bligh, William. A NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY ON BOARD HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP BOUNTY; AND THE SUBSEQUENT VOYAGE OF THE CREW IN THE SHIP’S BOAT... Lon. 1790. b/w folding maps and plan. 4to, iv, 88 pp. First edition of what is arguably the greatest open-boat survival narrative in the literature of the sea. “This is Captain Bligh’s own account of the mutiny, one of the most remarkable incidents in the whole of maritime history. After the publication of his narrative, Bligh presented copies to the Lords of the Admiralty and other influential people in the hope that his account of the mutiny would absolve him from any blame that might have been leveled against him because of the incident.” - Hill 132. O’Reilly-Reitman 543. Mackaness p. 128 (and) IIa. Bound in antique half mottled calf over marbled boards. Backstrip with raised bands, gilt ornaments and red spine label. There are other copies available online, but they have imperfections of one sort or another. This is a very clean, nearly flawless copy. $18000 See Illustration |
| 9. | Bloch, Julius et al. (editors). AN ACCOUNT OF HER MAJESTY’S REVENUE IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK. 1701-09. Ridgewood, NJ. (1966) b/w plates. facsimiles. Folio. lxx (1), 288 Customs records of early colonial New York, with historical introduction and glossary, followed by facsimiles of the customs records, providing a marvelous overview of our colonial commerce. One of the useful Gregg Press series issued in the 1960s. Once common, now scarce. Fine condition. $75 |
| 10. | Boxer, C.R. JAN COMPAGNIE IN JAPAN, 1600-1850. The Hague. 1950. Color, duotone and b/w plates, ills. xii, 198 pp. Second revised edition of a classic work. “An essay on the cultural, artistic and scientific influence exercised by the Hollanders in Japan from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries.” All of Boxer’s works are esteemed, and most are difficult to find. VG in lightly tanned dj. $100 |
| 11. | Brewer, Charles. REMINISCENCES. n.p. 1884. 67 pp. Brewer was born in Boston in 1804. He had his face and jaw badly mangled in a farm accident, and took his damaged phyz to sea. He sailed in the Atlantic and the Pacific... a good portion of this account is devoted to his several voyages to Hawaii and China in the Paragon, the Victoria, the Ivanhoe, the Becket and other vessels. He mentions James Hunnewell and Rev. Damon, and gives many particulars of his experience in the China Trade. Oddly, the author’s introduction to this self-published work serves as the title page. It is quite scarce, not listed in Smith or Hill. Howes, B-753. Judd, 27. With a leaf laid in, inscribed and signed by Brewer. This copy has a signature loose but is complete. $350 |
| 12. | Broadside. BY THE KING. A PROCLAMATION FOR ENCOURAGING MARINERS, SEAMEN, AND LANDMEN TO ENTER THEMSELVES ON BOARD HIS MAJESTIES SHIPS OF WAR. Printed folio sheet, 19 x 14 inches. The proclamation promises a signing bonus of 30 shillings for able seamen, and 25 for landsmen or ordinary seamen. Also the same for discharged marines. Furthermore, back pay will be made up, and each volunteer will receive a certificate giving him a certain number of days to report (and sparing him from impressment!). “London, Printed by Charles Bill, and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, deceas’d, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1700/1.” Full folio sheet, with wide, untrimmed margins. A lovely recruiting broadside. $850 See Illustration |
| 13. | Broadside. BY THE QUEEN, A PROCLAMATION, FOR ENCOURAGING SEAMEN AND LANDMEN TO ENTER THEMSELVES ON BOARD HER MAJESTIES SHIPS OF WAR. Printed folio sheet 16 x 12 1/2 inches. Similar to the previous item, except that instead of stipulating the amount of the signing bonus, this proclamation fixes it at “one month’s pay.” Interestingly, the maximum age is fifty-five. There must have been some grizzled old salts in Queen Anne’s navy! The bounty paid for each seaman recruited was 20 shillings. Printed by Charles Bill, 1703. Lightly tanned, trimmed close to the printed area and folded in a chemise and blue cloth slipcase with blue morocco backstrip with raised bands and gilt lettering. Handsome presentation of an interesting historical document. $650 |
| 14. | Broadside. HET NIEUW VERMAKELYK SPEL GENAAMT DOGGERS-BANK. Folio sheet 20 x 16 1/2 inches with wood engraved ships and spot hand coloring. Illustrated broadside commemorating the 1781 sea battle between the Dutch and the English on the southern end of this rich fishing ground in the North sea. Eight Dutch and eight English ships of war are pictured and named, with 22 lines of descriptive text in Dutch. Tear with very slight loss along one part of old vertical fold, else VG $850 See Illustration |
| 15. | Broadside. NANTUCKET HIGH SCHOOL. 4to sheet, 10 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. “Report of Scholarship, Deportment and Attendance, for the term ending January 21st, 1865.” Ninety-four students in the first through fifth classes. Folgers, Starbucks, Gardners and Husseys abound. Nice display item. VG $125 |
| 16. | Broadside. THE FAITHLESS CAPTAIN, OR BETRAYED VIRGIN. Folio sheet, 9 1/2 x 14. “All ye maidens fair I pray awhile draw near, / I a tragical story have to tell...” You bet! He does her wrong and she dresses like a man and goes to sea aboard his ship in a splendid reprise of the “Female Marine” motif. He promises to restore her honor, but dies at sea. The imprint reads, in broken type “J. Pitts, Printer, Wholesa(l)e TY an(d) Marble Warehouse, 6 G(r)eat st. Andrew street 7 da(y)s.” Several versions of this ballad sheet exist, but Worldcat locates only one library (Adelaide) holding this particular one, which it dates to 1820. With engraved flag, initial, and angel as head and tailpieces. VG. $200 See Illustration |
| 17. | Broadside. WILL WATCH. THE SMUGGLER BOLD. Half folio sheet, 15 1/2 x 7 1/2 x inches. Ten quatrains spin the melancholy yarn of a smuggler’s last voyage. Illustrated with a hand colored copper engraving of Will, Sue, his daughter, and faithful mutt. Dated Sep. 24, 1825. Fine condition $300 |
| 18. | Burney, James. HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. Lon. 1816. b/w folding charts and full page map. 4to. xii, 326 pp. First separately issued edition of a work published simultaneously as a part of Burney’s “Chronological History...” Considers pirates of the West Indies and buccaneer expeditions to the South Seas. The fact that it was printed separately attests to wide popular interest in the subject, even in 1816. With two folding charts and a full page map of the Galapagos. Hill 222. Gosse p. 24. O’Reilly & Reitman, 104. This is a fine tall copy, completely untrimmed. Bound in half polished calf over boards. Raised bands with gilt filets and red spine label. $2500 See Illustration |
| 19. | Cain, Emily. GHOST SHIPS. Toronto. (1983). Color and b/w plates. 4to. 152 pp. Underwater archaeologists find and document the wrecks of the Hamilton and Scourge from the 1813 storm on Lake Ontario, during the War of 1812. Excellent source of information on the Great Lakes navies during the War of 1812, and on the vessels themselves. $20 |
| 20. | Carpenter, Charles H., Jr. & Carpenter, Mary Grace. THE DECORATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS OF NANTUCKET. NY. 1987. Color and b/w plates. 4to. xi, 257 pp. First edition of the definitive work on the arts of this historic whaling port. Fine in dj. $20 |
| 21. | Chart. BERMUDA ISLANDS. Navy Hydrographic Office. 1877. 33 x 43 3/4 inches. Insets of “Grassy Bay and Ireland Island” and “The Narrows... and St. George’s Harbor.” With the main island centered in the chart area. A few light spots, but a very attractive chart in excellent condition. On heavy paper as issued. $1750 See Illustration |
| 22. | Chart. FROM PENOBSCOT BAY TO KENNEBEC ENTRANCE, MAINE. USGS. 1873. 43 x 34 inches. Dusty at edges, with a few light spots on charted area. But overall a Very Good example of classic Maine coastline. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $250 See Illustration |
| 23. | Chart. ISLAND OF CUBA. Wash. 1888. “Cape San Antonio to Longitude 76 West. With Adjacent Part of Great Bahama Bank.” US Navy Hydrographic Office, 1888. Chart on heavy paper measuring 30 x 45 1/2 inches. Lighthouses hand colored in yellow and red. All of Cuba except the extreme eastern tip. Few edge tears and chipping, but clean. Overall VG with no spotting or staining. $125 |
| 24. | Chart. LITTLE RIVER- PETIT MANAN, MAINE. USGS. 1888. 44 x 36 inches. Inset view of Moosabec River. Somewhat tanned. Spotting along bottom. Repaired tear at top, not intruding on printed area. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $150 |
| 25. | Chart. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND - FRENCHMAN’S AND BLUE HILL BAYS, MAINE. USGS. 1883. 44 x 34 inches. Dusty at edges, some spotting along bottom. Another classic bit of Maine coastline. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $250 See Illustration |