The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. From the Year 1793 to 1817

Additional information

A work documenting British naval victories & maritime exploits, spanning the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, & related conflicts. First edition, early issue, 55 hand coloured plates & 1 B&W. In 20 century half calf over blue cloth, some gilt tooling, corners brushed. Spine, raised bands, decorative gilt tooling & titles. Internally, frontis, engraved title with un-coloured vignette, not dated but 1817 or later, not paginated [approx 148 pp], 55 fine, hand coloured aquatint plates by T Sutherland and others after T Whitcombe, plus one un-coloured plate containing two etchings showing battle plans for the Bombardment of Algiers an the Battle of Trafalgar, plates generally clean and bright, Gibraltar plate with a few small spots in image, Capture of La Loire and Capture of La Forte plates with marginal repairs, without the portraits of Nelson and Lord St. Vincent, as often -'the work is complete without them' (Tooley), 'Collectors should note that evidence of early state in this book can be found in the title page vignette, originally issued un-coloured, and coloured only in later issues' - (Abbey), top edge gilt, remainder uncut, small binders stamp to verso fep. (Tall Folio 357*286 mm). (Bobins 360. Abbey 337. Tooley 322). 'As a record of naval events spanning a period of over 20 years Jenkins' Naval Achievements has no precedent. At no time prior to 1817 had a publisher attempted such a complete volume of documentary naval prints. It is the quality of the accuracy which makes Jenkins so valuable above all' (Roger Quarm, National Maritime Museum).