A Naval Expositor

London: Printed by E. Owen. 1750.

First edition. 4to. 264x205mm. pp. [viii], 191 [1bl]. Engraved title page within an attractive rococo border and engraved illustrations on the left margin of each page and three engravings in the text. Contemporary calf, upper and lower covers with gilt dog-tooth border and gilt fleurons at the corners. Spine with five raised bands, compartments lavishly decorated in gilt although somewhat rubbed and faded. Tan morocco label lettered in gilt. Corners bumped and rubbed and a small scuffed patch on the lower cover. Marbled endpapers. Edges sprinkled red. Internally very good. Overall a very nice copy of the first illustrated maritime dictionary in English. The illustrations are in particularly good condition and give a charming pictorial addition to the definitions of almost every aspect of boats and sailing from anchors to wrain staves. Thomas Blanckley (1717-1753) was the Clerk of the Survey at Portsmouth Dockyard and Commissioner of the Victualling Office. In other words, a man who knew his ships.