[Rarebooks] FS - Naval Chronicle 1807-1809

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

/The Naval Chronicle/ was first published in 1799, and issued by Mr. 
Joyce Gold, of Shoe-Lane, London, in monthly parts thereafter until 
1818. It is usually seen in bi-annual bound  volumes, with an index. It 
was widely read at a time when the prestige, strength and prowess of 
Britain's Royal Navy was at its peak. It was not only a specialist 
publication but was aimed at a wider audience than those serving both 
fore and aft of the f''o'csle. As Gold said in the Preface to the 21st 
volume: "'We shall endeavor to make /The Naval Chronicle/ as useful and 
interesting library of itself to the seamen, and an acceptable work to 
everyone who partakes of the glory acquitted by our brave countrymen in 
their own element."

C. S. Forrester, the author of the Hornblower novels (which were known 
for their accuracy and attention to nautical detail), bought a set of 
/The Naval Chronicle/ in the 1930s to read whilst on a trip through the 
Caribbean, and was said to have been inspired to create his character 
and initial plots from this trove of nautical material.

A compendium of this famous set was recently published under the 
editorship of Nicholas Tracy (/The Naval Chronicle: The Contemporary 
Record of the Royal Navy at War, 1811-1815/, Stackpole Books, 2000).

We offer three original individual bi-annual volumes. Terms of Sale at end.

1.    /*THE NAVAL CHRONICLE, FOR 1809: CONTAINING A GENERAL AND 
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM*/. 
Printed and published by and for Joyce Gold, London. 1809. 1st edition, 
8vo, pp. viii, 520.  This is volume XXI (from January to June, 1809), 
published "under the guidance of several literary and professional men".

This volume deals with, amongst other topics, the capture of Martinique, 
the reduction of Cayenne, the taking of Vigo, and the destruction of the 
French fleet in Basque Roads. With "Memoirs" (brief biographies) of 
variousCaptains and Admirals of the Royal Navy, as well as learned 
articles on related scientific subjects, e.g., "Nauscopy; or, The Art of 
Discovering Ships at a Great Distance from Land", "Improvements in Naval 
Architecture", and "Lists of Ships Expected to be Launched in the Course 
of the Year 1809". With fifteen full-page copper engravings (one of 
which is a plan of the harbour at Basque Roads, and another a very 
detailed chart of Cadiz Harbour) and a head-piece. There is a 
comprehensive Index at the end of the volume as well as "Gazette 
Letters" and lists of promotions and appointments, births, marriages and 
deaths. This copy bound in contemporaryhalf leather over marbled boards, 
with marbled endpapers. The text block has detached from the front board 
and spine, and remains attached to the rear board by the endpaper. The 
boards are worn, but a competent binder could, with little trouble, 
repair this defect. The contents are tight, andgenerally clean for their 
age, with some foxing. There is noticeable off-setting from the plates, 
most of which are also, to a greater or lesser degree, foxed. 
Notwithstanding, the book is in fairly good condition, is perfectly 
legible, and may be read with ease.

Price: $125.00.


2.    /*THE NAVAL CHRONICLE, FOR 1809: CONTAINING A GENERAL AND 
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM*/. 
Printed and published by and for Joyce Gold, London. 1809. 1st edition, 
8vo, pp. 21 to 520. This is volume XXII (from July to December, 1809), 
published "under the guidance of several literary and professional men".

This copy contains 12 copper-plate engravings, of which one is a 
frontispiece, four are plates, four are portraits, and three are charts 
(Port Royal in Jamaica, "The Northern Part of the United Provinces", and 
"The Southern Part.." etc, i.e. Holland). There
is an early, and rather unfortunate attempt, to hand-colour the 
portraits. Some foxing to the other engravings, and off-setting to
most. All pages subsequent to the frontipiece, up to page 21, have been 
torn out, with the exception of the plate containing the portrait of 
Capt. Lord Cochrane. All other pages present. Contents generally show 
some foxing, but the text is perfectly legible. Bound in contemporary 
half leather over marbled boards with marbled endpapers and foredges. 
The binding is worn and the front hinge is noticeably cracked. Consider 
this a fairly decent reading, or reference copy, only, and priced 
accordingly.

Price: $100.00.


3.    /*THE NAVAL CHRONICLE, FOR 1807: CONTAINING A GENERAL AND 
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM*/. 
Printed and published by and for Joyce Gold, London. 1807. 1st edition, 
8vo, pp. viii, 520. This is volume XVIII (from July to December, 1807), 
published "under the guidance of several literary and professional men".

This volume deals with, amongst other topics, "commercial hints, 
recollections, &c.", correspondence, marine designs, "Naval History of 
the Present Year, 1807", naval poetry and literature, naval commercial 
report (including prices of material purchased by the Royal Navy), and a 
"List of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in Commission". With thirteen 
full-page copper engravings (one of which is a frontispiece, five are 
portraits, and the rest are scenes). There is a comprehensive Index at 
the end of the
volume as well as "Gazette Letters" and lists of promotions and 
appointments, births, marriages and deaths. This copy bound in
contemporary half leather over marbled boards, with marbled endpapers 
and foredges. The binding is now well-worn. Pages 483/484 partially torn 
away and plate facing page 485 creased with several small holes. Plates 
show some foxing and off-setting to facing pages. Some general foxing 
throughout. Hinges a bit tender but binding still reasonably tight. Some 
pages stand proud, causing wear to those edges. Overall, still a good copy.

Price: $125.00.


Terms of sale - The prices are in US funds and the books are offered 
subject to prior sale. Postage and packing charge is $7.50 per volume - 
the charge to be waived if all three volumes are purchased together. 
Payment by check or credit card. Returnable within seven days of receipt 
if not as described.

 
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