1851 Edition of The American Practical Navigator: An Epitome of Navigation, Containing all the Tables....
New York: E. & G.W Blumt, 1851. 20th Edition. Octavo. Very Good. Item #18562
1851 edition of what Howes calls the "First accurate navigator's guide' and an institution in Nautical writing, possibly the most important navigator in American history."
Widely regarded as the most influential work in the history of navigation. Bowditch published his first revision of the of the navigator by J.H. Moore in 1799. Discovering more than 8000 errors, in the work of Moore, Bowditch decided to publish his own work, "The New American Practical Navigator", in 1802 and it quickly became the preeminent and most used work on celestial and maritime navigation. Bowditch's work has been updated and published every year since and is still published today.
Two volumes complete. Original boards of three-quarter calf, sympathetically rebacked in brown leather. Titling in gilt to spine. Square tight bindings. Fold-out map at front, with errata slip bound in opposite title page. Binding with mild rubbing and edge wear. 458pp + ads. Sporadic light foxing throughout. Contemporary plate from the Boston shop of Benjamin Loring & Co., nautical chart and booksellers, to the front pastedown of each volume. Each volume with two small different previous owner stamps toward the front of each volume.
Overall an uncommon and very nice edition of this classic and important nautical work.
Sold