The Naval History Of Britain, From The Earliest Periods Of Which There Are Accounts In History, To The Conclusion Of The Year M.DCC.LVI. Compiled From The Papers Of The Late Honourable Captain George Berkley, Commander Of His Majesty's Ship WINDSOR

London: T. Osborne and J. Shifton, 1756. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Large Crown Folio, 16 3/4 tall by 10 1/2 wide. [17], 2-576 - (577 is mis-numbered as 573) - so - [(573-706)], [2]. This is a mis-numbering flaw only - all contents complete with every catchword matching. This is a complete text. Contains extensive Contents listing just after the title page with a minimal 2 page Index at the rear. Some old ink writing on the top of the title page and the top of the frontispiece with a 1849 date. Contains 14 full page engravings, including a frontispiece, fold-out maps, scenes of Naval action, and portraits of Naval heroes. Some offsetting to opposite pages. Wide margins throughout, untrimmed with no marginal notations. With extensive information on The Spanish Armada, listing the Spanish Fleet - "arrogantly called the Invincible Armada," with all ships identified by name, number of guns, and tonnage. The entire British Fleet is also listed by ship and Captains. This copy now handsomely re-bound in full navy blue leather with lettering in gilt on the spine. New marbled endpapers with several new blank pages included. The binding is signed "Hales." Lowndes gives the publication date as 1757, which I suspect is true given that the book covers events up to and including 1756. This has become an extremely rare volume with no copies listed in WorldCat. Smollet, in his History states "...excercised great influence over contemporary public opinion on naval matters." Lowndes Bibliographer's Manual, Allibone, and Bibliography Of British History by Pargellis and Medley.

Price: $2,500.00


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