item number |
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| 26. | Chart. PENOBSCOT BAY, MAINE. USGS. 1880. 44 x 33 1/2 inches. Charted area extends down as far as Vinal Haven and out to Isle au Haut. Dusty at top and bottom (cleanble) with some spotting. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $200 See Illustration |
| 27. | Chart. POINT PINOS TO BODEGA HEAD, CALIFORNIA. USGS. 1862. 42 x 30 inches. Tables of tides and soundings, with 5 recognition views inset. Excellent condition. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $250 |
| 28. | Chart. PORTLAND HARBOR. USGS 1871. 33 x 27 inches. Mackey Pt. - Trundy’s Point - Peaks Island. With Sailing Directions for harbor. Engraved image shows good detail in Portland City. Stains on left side and bottom. Fair condition only. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $150 See Illustration |
| 29. | Chart. SEGUIN ISLAND - KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE. USGS. 1863. 44 x 34 1/2 inches. Fort Popham - Webhannet. Inland detail at Portland and Biddeford. Tanned, dusty at top and bottom. On heavy paper as issued - NOT thin paper from Coast Survey Report. $150 |
| 30. | Clairbois, Vial du. TRAITE ELEMENTAIRE DE LA CONSTRUCTION DES VAISSEAUX, A L’USAGE DES ELEVES DE LA MARINE... Paris. 1787. b/w plates. 4to. 308, plus 20 folding plates. “Clairbois... was a French naval constructor, inspector, and director of the school of naval construction for the French Marine... The text is a clear and comprehensive outline of shipbuilding.” Scott 409. Polak 9434. Scarce. OCLC showing only five libraries holding copies. Clairbois added a second volume in 1805. VG in mottled calf with spine label. Outer edges of a few of the 20 folding plates are chipped. $1000 See Illustration |
| 31. | Crossman, Carl L. THE CHINA TRADE. Princeton, NJ (1972) b/w and color plates. 4to. xii, 275 pp. “By the early 1800’s,” in the words of Samuel Eliot Morison, “Boston was the Spain, Salem the Portugal, in the race for Oriental opulence... The homes of the China trade families, their friends and relatives along the Eastern Seaboard became the depositories of a wealth of finely crafted lacquer ware, intricately carved ivory and horn, Western-style portraits, marine paintings, watercolor sketches and gouaches.” An important reference. First edition. VG, dj. $75 |
| 32. | Cunningham, A. E. (Editor). PATRICK O’BRIAN : CRITICAL ESSAYS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. NY. (1994) b/w plates, ills. 175, (1) pp. First American edition. Includes a short story by O’Brian as well as critical and biographical essays. VG, dj. $35 |
| 33. | Darvall, Joseph. THE WRECK ON THE ANDAMANS... Lon. 1845. Tinted litho plates. 12mo. 72 pp. “Being a narrative of the very remarkable preservation, and ultimate deliverance, of the soldiers and seamen, who formed the ships’ companies of the Runnymede and Briton troop-ships, both wrecked on the morning of the 12th of November, 1844, upon one of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal.” Huntress 340C notes, “The two groups joined forces, divided provisions, set up defenses against the natives, and repaired a longboat for a rescue mission... a small ship with provisions reached the castaways on December 15.” First and only edition, with 4 attractive tinted lithograph plates. Backstrip perished. Front board (with handsome gilt illustration of the wreck) detached but present. Text and plates clean. Scarce. OCLC locates only six libraries holding copies. $400 See Illustration |
| 34. | Davis, Gherardi. THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND MERCHANT MARINE. NY. 1923. Color and b/w plates. 84 pp. Davis was a New York aristocrat and member of the New York Yacht Club. This is his informed and first-hand account of the technological evolution of the merchant and naval fleets. Many of the illustrations and photos are by the author. Scarce. Not in Smith, Neeser or Harbeck. Privately printed at the Gilliss Press and limited to 125 copies. Inscribed and dated by Davis. Fine in stiff wraps with cover label. $150 |
| 35. | Duhamel du Monceau (Henri L.) NIEUWE EN ALGEMEENE BESCHOUWENDE EN BEÖEFENENDE SCHEEPS-BOUWKUNDE, TEN DIENSTE DER ZEEVAARDIJE VAN EUROPA, ONTWORPEN EN UITGEGEEVEN DOOR DEN HEER DU HAMEL DU MONCEAU Amsterdam 1791 24 b/w folding plates. 4to. x-349, xx pp. Rare Amsterdam 1791 reissue of a 1757 edition, itself a translation of the 1752 French edition, which was the most comprehensive and widely copied text on marine architecture in the 18th century. “Duhamel du Monceau... was inspector general of the marine, and applied his scientific knowledge to the improvement of naval construction.” - Scott 266, citing various editions. Along with French, Dutch and German editions, Mungo Murray translated parts of the text into his 1754 and 1765 English works on naval architecture. This is a beautiful copy of the influential text, clean and wide margined, with 24 folding plates. Bound as issued from the printer in marbled paper over pasteboard covers, with hand written paper label. $1500 See Illustration |
| 36. | Ephemera. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, SHIP GREAT ADMIRAL, SAN FRANCISCO, 1883. BENJAMIN THOMPSON, MASTER. Printed folio sheet, 16 x 20 1/2 inches, accomplished in manuscript. Dates of service and complete wage breakdown - monthly, whole, advance, slops, etc. - for 30 crewmen. Great Admiral was built in 1869 in East Boston for the William F. Weld Co. Fairburn calls her a, “outstanding, well-built half clipper.” - III p. 1695. I suppose half a clipper is better than no clipper at all. On this voyage she was bound from San Francisco to Europe via Hong Kong. VG $75 |
| 37. | Ephemera. BOSTON MARINE SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE. Engraved folio sheet 11 x 17 inches, accomplished in manuscript. This document certifies that James Lloyd, Esq. is voted a member of the Boston Marine Society. It is signed by Andrew Sigourney, Secretary, and Jno. Holland, President, Feb. 2, 1814. The certificate is surrounded by engraved vignettes picturing Neptune in his chariot, a shipwreck, a whaling scene, a ship entering Boston Harbor, a harbor scene with Boston in the background, a view of the Marine Hospital, and an allegorical view of the family of a shipwrecked mariner, by “Callender, sculpt. State St. Boston.” The Boston Marine Society was one of the first such in America. This is a splendid example in excellent condition. Membership Certificates dating from the War of 1812 era are scarce indeed. $750 See Illustration |
| 38. | Ephemera. ENGRAVED MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE FOR THE MARINE SOCIETY OF NEWBURYPORT. Folio sheet, 12 x 17 inches. This engraved certificate features vignettes of a ship launch and wreck, Neptune, dolphins, and handsome views of Newburyport waterfront circa. 1840. The manuscript entries are rather faded, but it appears this certificate was made out to Capt. Robert Couch in 1857. Signed by Nathaniel Osgood, Secretary, and Micajah Lunt, President. Laid down on paper. Some acid tanning along lower edge, chipped wax seal in lower left. Good copy of a rare certificate, suitable for display. $500 |
| 39. | Ephemera. ENGRAVED MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE FOR THE SALEM MARINE SOCIETY. Folio sheet, 12 1/2 x 15 inches. The certificate consists of an engraved panoramic view of Salem Harbor, circa 1797, showing Briggs’ shipyard, Derby wharf and the new lighthouse on Baker’s island. It is one of the earliest representation of the harbor. There are also four vignettes of ships being launched, careened and unloaded, and of fish being pressed in a barrel. This is a later restrike from the original plate, in Fine condition. a wonderful decorative item. $200 See Illustration |
| 40. | Ephemera. ENGRAVED MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE OF THE BOSTON SEA FENCIBLES, 1822. Though dating from the 1700s, the Boston Sea Fencibles was officially chartered by the Massachusetts legislature in 1817. This organization was formed as a naval militia to serve the Commonwealth when needed. Membership was open to those over the age of twenty-one who had commanded a vessel on a foreign voyage or had served as first mate or supercargo on a foreign voyage. This handsome copper engraving by Annin & Smith depicts Boston light and vessels in the harbor, with the motto “Sailors rights by sailors best defended” at the top. It is dated March 9, 1822, and certifies the membership of John Rich. Signed by Thomas R. Hopkins, secretary, and Nathaniel Snow, Captain. Mounted on pasteboard, chip on lower corner not affecting image. Rare $350 See Illustration |
| 41. | Ephemera. FORECASTLE CARD. Printed folio sheet, 17 x 11, accomplished in manuscript. By an Act of 1884 these notices advising crews of their rights regarding wages, slops, punishment and destinations were required to be posted in the forecastle. Most interestingly there is a detailed table of how much of two dozen basic food items each crewman was allowed each day - no pork except Tuesdays and Thursdays, when each man got 1 1/4 pounds. The Forecastle Card is a later iteration of the old Articles of Agreement. This one is dated 1910. Some tanning and edge chipping, but an interesting old artifact. $75 |
| 42. | Ephemera. IMPRESSMENT WARRANT, 1794-1795 Printed folio sheet, 15 x 19 1/2 inches, accomplished in manuscript. This document enables Captain Alexander Hood, commander of HMS Audacious, to impress seamen to man his ship. Each impressed man was to receive 1 shilling prest money. Officers so empowered were forbidden to accept payment or bribes to let men off, and all wardens, sheriffs and similar local officials were required to help. Hood, brother of Admiral Samuel Hood, sailed with Cook on his second voyage and distinguished himself in the West Indies during the Revolution. Bad health kept him ashore until 1797, but it is clear from this warrant he was using his time in the service of the Royal Navy. He died in 1798, as Captain of the Mars, in the course of a bloody battle with the French seventy-four Hercule. Signed by Hood and three other Admiralty officials. With blind stamp of the Admiralty seal. Few spots, short tear at fold. Still a VG copy of a rare document. $1250 See Illustration |
| 43. | Ephemera. MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE FOR THE BOSTON SEA FENCIBLES, 1830 Folio printed sheet, 11 x 16 1/2 inches, accomplished in manuscript. This certificate admits Winslow W. Seaver of Boston to the Sea Fencibles. It is signed by Levi Lincoln, Governor of Massachusetts, and by Edward Bangs, Secretary. Membership was open to those over the age of twenty-one who had commanded a vessel on a foreign voyage or had served on one as a first mate or supercargo. A handsome document, suitable for display. Fine condition with paper seal of Massachusetts intact. $200 |
| 44. | Ephemera MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE OF THE PROVIDENCE MARINE SOCIETY. Folio engraving, 13 x 18 1/2 inches, accomplished in manuscript. According to the Rhode Island Historical Society, “The Providence Marine Society was founded in 1798 as a mutual aid society for sea captains. Its by-laws state that it was ‘established by commanders of vessels for their relief in distress, and for the relief of their widows and children.’ Members were also strongly encouraged to attend funerals of their brethren. The Society continued holding meetings through 1933, but its aging dispersed membership and declining interest made gathering a quorum impossible until one final meeting in 1951 to formally disband the Society.” This would be a late example of a membership certificate. It grants membership to Gustave Benham in 1901. However, the engraving dates at least from the 1820s, and has a full length panoramic view of the waterfront of old Providence. - “T. Young Del. Wm Hamlin sculp. Prov.” Hamlin was an engraver in Providence in the early 19th century. Light tanning, still VG $350 See Illustration |
| 45. | Ephemera. OPERATION SAIL 1986. NY. 1986. Color and b/w plates, maps, ills. 64 pp. Official commemorative guide to Op Sail ‘86, ably edited by the late Joe Gribbins and chaired by Bus Mosbacher. Articles and beauty shots of the hundred-plus tall ships that assembled for this July 4th gala. Fine condition. $10 |
| 46. | Ephemera. ORDINARY APPRENTICE’S INDENTURE. Printed oblong folio sheet, 11 x 15 inches, accomplished in manuscript. Cyril Whish, aged 16, apprentices himself to Charles Hill for four years. He promises to avoid Taverns or Alehouses, but this form was printed in England in 1884, by which time and place the strictures against fornication had been dropped. Whish was to get 40 pounds for his 4 years. VG copy of a nautical curiosity. $25 |
| 47. | Ephemera. PLANS FOR SETS FROM THE MOVIE “THE PERFECT STORM.” The movie version of Sebastian Junger’s memorable book - directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring George Clooney - was filmed in Gloucester in 1999 and released in 2000. It made a decent splash and for a moment thereafter Gloucester’s bar flies were Hollywood celebs. Somehow, during that time, seven sheets of set plans got loose in town. Now they’re sitting on my desk. They measure 2 x 3 feet and show construction details for the Andrea Gail foredeck, her wheelhouse, interior and exterior, the Hannah Bowen wheelhouse, ditto, the Crow’s Nest bar exterior, and two interiors of the bar and the upstairs bedroom. Each of the plans is signed off and dated in manuscript by the craftspeople who constructed the sets - carpenters, painters, electricians and the like. In all seven set plans from the movie, signed by the men who built them. Fascinating detail and a wonderful memento of Gloucester’s most recent 15 minutes of fame. $750 |
| 48. | Ephemera. WHALING INSURANCE POLICY, BARK VALPARAISO, “AT AND FROM PAITA, 1850.” 4to printed sheet, accomplished in manuscript. Two year policy for this New Bedford whaleship which, according to Starbuck and Lund, left in 1848 on a 4 year voyage to the Pacific. Premium on the “vessel and outfits” for the last two years of her voyage was $241. Excellent condition. $100 |
| 49. | Folk Art TEN WATERCOLOR CARTOONS OF BRITISH AND CANADIAN SAILORS AND SOLDIERS IN HUMOROUS SITUATIONS, CIRCA. WW I. These are ink and watercolor cartoons done by a single native genius on whatever materials were available - cardboard box tops, stationery, wrapping paper, etc. They range in size from 6 1/2 x 5 inches to 8 1/2 x 11 inches, and depict soldiers, sailors, Mounties, bad guys and damsels in various humorous poses and situations. The draftsmanship is vigorous and assured, if unsophisticated in true “outsider” fashion. Captions are generally humorous, such as, “A Red Cross nurse defending a wounded British Soldier to the last.” In a lovely reversal of the expected situation, it depicts a nurse plugging two menacing Arabs, a swooning soldier at her side. The lot $750 See Illustration |
| 50. | Forbes, Robert B. PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. Bos. 1878 vii, 382, (5) pp. Forbes’ work is one of the liveliest American autobiographies and a rich source of information on the China Trade, of which Forbes was a pioneer. He made his first trip to China at age 13; at 20 he received command of his own ship for a 3 year voyage around the world; by age 30 he had made a fortune; by age 34 lost nearly all of it, and then by age 36 regained it. In later years he became a ship owner and builder and was responsible for improvements in lifesaving devices and ships’ rigs. This work contains a list of vessels built by Forbes. First trade edition after private printing. Howes F-244. Smith F49. Bound in original cloth. Light wear to spine ends, else a tight, bright copy. $200 |