Naval - Military - Pre-20th Century | Archive | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

Admiral Bying was famously executed on his ship at Plymouth having been found guilty of retiring against the enemy [cowardice].

It was a terrible set-up and much information was withheld during his Trial and much more was bent out of shape – noting much changed there!

An anonymous author but obviously with many contacts relevant to the matter.

A pamphlet printed by J Cooke at the King’s Arms, Great Turnstile, Holborn [London] in 1756. Saddle stitch as original 31 pages, pretty good condition, very clean.

Contains extracts from numerous contemporary reports and letters and a set of tables that prove the assertion that Byng retreated from and “inferior” force to be very wrong.

Byng a thorough rebuttal of the case against him – but too late.

SO SORRY SOLD

$150.00

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The Life and Surprising Adventures of Captain Talbot – First Edition n.d. but 1803 [Shortcomings but Exceedingly Rare – and Fine Binding].

Title continues – “Containing a Curious Account of the Various Changes and Gradations of this Extraordinary Character; from the Time of His First Going to Sea as a Cabin Boy; Until His Taking of Command of the Washington War Ship; – Also, His Various Engagements during the American Wars and Singular Escapes in His Different Stages of Life – The Whole Forming a Complete Series of Singular Incidents and entertaining Adventures”.

Printed by Barnard and Saltzer, Fleet Street for Tegg and Castleman.

Octavo, 147 pages, missing tow leaves ¾ and 21/22 provided separately as a modern copy but no bound. Reference authority Sabin 94236.

The whole rather aged but likewise very genuine for this work. Someone has gone to the bother of preserving it in an extra fine binding, half calf over marbled boards, decorated spine, separate red leather title.

Captain Silas Talbot [1751-1813] was the stuff of adventure books. He was 12 when he became the cabin boy mentioned in the title. Went on to fight in the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War and at the Battle of Puerto Plata harbour in the French War. He captured the 8 gun galley Pigot from the English and turned it against them – for which he received the silver sword. Hist adventures as presented here tad more various and exciting than just war!

Captain Talbot and the American Wars so scarce accept its deficiencies.

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$140.00

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Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Half length figure of Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757), facing with baton raised in the left hand, right hand outstretched. Inscribed around the edge “THE BRITISH GLORY REVIVE-D BY ADMIRAL VERNON”.

Reverse a view of the Port; six ships [of Vernon’s fleet” and two Spanish gun-boats. Inscribed below “BY COURAGE AND CONDUCT” and around the edge “HE TOOK PORTO BELLO WITH SIX SHIPS ONLY”.

Very good condition, 37mm weighing 19gm.

For those impressed but also confused by the elaborate artwork and extensive description … there is a whole world out there of collectors of Admiral Vernon medals, and the detailed description matters to identify the precise medal, there were quite a few types. He was pretty much admired for his success at capturing Porto Bello in November 1739 and he possibly became the most medal(ised) person in history.

The event was an early conflict in what became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. In 1738 Captain Robert Jenkins appeared before the House of Commons with his amputated ear which had been severed by the Spanish in the West Indies. This added to other stories of bad behaviour by the Spanish led to war. Veron, then Vice Admiral was in charge of the Jamaica Station. Vernon preferred small well armed fleets and his attack with only six vessels was seemed foolhardy by others ... he succeeded and had a mountain named after him and the most fashionable street in London was named after the battle.

Vernon takes Porto Bello and gets one back for Jenkins’ Ear …

$180.00

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Gunfire in Barbary – Perkins and Douglas- Morris

Admiral Lord Exmouth’s battle with the Corsairs of Algeria in 1816

First edition, published by Kenneth Mason, Havant, England. Octavo, 199 pages, slightly toned, very good complete dust jacket a good copy of a most interesting book.

The combined English and Dutch fleets bombarded Algiers with all their might. The objective was to destroy the Corsairs who for near three hundred years had kidnapped masses of white Christians to become slaves to their Moslem captives. The slave markets of Algiers was a busy place. Admiral Lord Exmouth was successful but not without significant losses [greater than Nelson at Trafalgar].

Exmouth deals with the Barbary Corsairs

$30.00

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Sea Dangers [The Affair of the US Brig Somers] – Philip McFarland

First edition, published by Schocken, New York in 1985. Large octavo, 308 pages, a little age to jacket otherwise a very good copy.

In 1842 on the American Brig “Somers” a young officer and two seamen were hung for mutiny, a court martial followed for the commanding officer. A very well researched and written book.

Formed the basis of “Billy Rudd” by Herman Melville.

American Mutiny … or was it?

$25.00

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The Fate of Franklin – Roderic Owen

Title continues …The Life and Mysterious Death of the Most Heroic of the Arctic Explorers. May be the key summary work on this never finished story. The author a descendant of Sir John Franklin.

First edition thick octavo published by Hutchinson of Australia in 1978. 471 pages, illustrated throughout with a number of maps and charts including end paper maps. A very good copy.

Well constructed with a fair bit of early background including his term as Governor of Tasmania and the part played by Jane Franklin then and later to the very end. Set out in three sections … “The Man who Ate His Boots”; “the Whipping Boy and “ The Heart That Can Feel for Another”. Three journeys to find the North-West Passage … the final tragic attempt in the Erebus and Terror continues to mystify both fiction and non-fiction book writers and lovers.

Franklin and his voyages to the Arctic in super detail

$60.00

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Naval – Military – Pre-20th Century

Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

The Life and Surprising Adventures of Captain Talbot – First Edition n.d. but 1803 [Shortcomings but Exceedingly Rare – and Fine Binding].

Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – Struck 1740.

Gunfire in Barbary – Perkins and Douglas- Morris

Sea Dangers [The Affair of the US Brig Somers] – Philip McFarland

The Fate of Franklin – Roderic Owen

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