Lot 109
Parry, Sir William Edward
Nautical Astronomy by Night
Auction: 16 June 2026 from 10:00 BST
Description
Comprehending Practical Directions for Knowing and Observing the Principal Fixed Stars Visible in the Northern Hemisphere. [Bath]: Printed and sold by Meyler and Son … Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London, 1816. First and only edition, 4to (22.2 x 17.1cm), contemporary half calf, engraved frontispiece portrait, and 5 charts (4 folded), 6 printed tables, boards and corners worn, joint to upper board cracked with board almost loose, damp-staining to the frontispiece, with armorial bookplate of geologist and archaeologist William Talbot Aveline (1822-1903)
Footnote
The first book by the noted naval officer and Arctic explorer best remembered for his attempts to discover the North-West Passage. Based on observations made by Parry while serving on a frigate protecting the Spitsbergen whaling fleet, it was originally circulated among Parry's squadron in manuscript before being printed privately by his father.