Porter, David:

$1,250 · Offered by William Reese Company

JOURNAL OF A CRUISE MADE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN...IN THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE ESSEX, IN THE YEARS 1812, 1813, AND 1814. CONTAINING DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS, COASTS OF BRAZIL, PATAGONIA, ... The uncommon first edition of this important narrative which, according to Hill, "was suppressed and is a very rare book." Porter, without authorization, took the Essex around the Cape, and was the only American commander to sail against the British in the Pacific Ocean during the War of 1812. He inflicted much damage on British shipping and whaling enterprises, and showed the flag along the coast and in the islands, although the government never followed up on his annexation of Nuku Hiva, in the Marquesas. An 1822 edition provided some additional text. The other illustrations include portraits of islanders, breadfruit, etc. This book is quite rare, and in our experience, always in poor condition and lacking some plates. This may be happenstance, but others of experience tell us the same thing. Thus, the rather worn condition of this copy may be about as good as it gets.

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