If you have material that you feel would fit our History Gallery, please contact Rob Morin at rm@net1plus.com or 978-597-6935, David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com, or Lynn Morin at lfm@aaawt.com or 978-597-8084.

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Ships Logbooks By Master George A. Bigelow, Circa 1860 - 1868; Clipper Zephyr, Built at East Boston Circa 1854 by Daniel E. Kelly

Built for Thomas B. Wales, she was 1184 tons; 193 feet long with a beam of 36 feet and draft of 25 feet. Her speed record set 1859-1860...New York to San Francisco was 167 days. The clipper ship's owners at the time Bigelow was master are noted in logs as Messrs Curtis and Peabody.

Three logbooks belonging to George A. Bigelow: one of the books is identified as Private Journal / of / Geo. A. Bigelow / from / Sept. 27th 1867. Another is labeled Private Log of Geo. A. Bigelow / Master of Ship / "Zephyr" / from / Nov. 18th 1864. The same book also contains the entry, Bark "Pursuit" / Capt. Geo. A. Bigelow / left the end of Battery Wharf / Boston / Feb. 22nd 1866 - at 1-30 P. M. / Bound for / Melbourne-Australia. One of the books contains a list of "...ships and vessels which Geo. A. Bigelow has been to sea in..." Eighteen vessels are listed, beginning with the bark "Kate Hastings" and concluding with the bark "Pursuit".

As is to be expected, most of the logs are taken up with readings, reports on weather and types of cargo. However, there are also a number of entries, some only a sentence long, which tell a great deal about life at sea and what it was like to be a ship's master. There is enlightening and exciting reading... he notes "Wife very low - & daily losing strength & flesh. Am anxious about her!" Later he is able to write, "My Wife is more comfortable today though very weak & low Rum & Whisky baths & Belladonna plaster are doing her good..." On one occasion Bigelow notes that he; had a row with Irish Stewardess - the Cook's wife..." about the quality and efficiency of her work. He notes that he insisted she do things as he directed, to which she declared, "...She would begin her work and do it just when & how it pleased her to do so..." With no one aboard to vent his frustration and anger the bemused Captain concludes his description of the incident with the heavily underlined exclamation, "I think I shall have my orders obeyed!"

It is May of 1861 before Bigelow learns that compromise was something that his fellow countrymen were unable to achieve. He receives some London newspapers from a passing ship and receives "...first news of civil war in United States..." Bigelow notes that "...The States are always making asses of themselves in the eyes of the whole world - both sides are to blame, & I hope they will both get a good drubbing & then come together again as they ought to, and be...the smartest nation on airth [sic]!!" In spite of his vexation with both sides, Bigelow's loyalty to the Union becomes obvious by 1862 when he "...Saw a small schooner who avoided me - and after passing, at long range, hauled up for Mobile. He was evidently intending to run the blockade - Wish I had a single small gun - I would have taken him any how..." On July 4, 1865 Bigelow writes "Hurrah for the Union!! Confusion, perdition and punishment to all traitors !!!!!! May they meet their reward & doom!!!" Since Bigelow was in England when the war ended in April, he must have been aware of its outcome when he entered this rather strong epithet in his personal log.

The three books are in overall good condition. The binding on the smallest book is missing along the spine, but the folios remain intact and the covers are still held on with the original linen strips. There are a few loose pages, which have newspaper clippings of interest to mariners pasted on them, and the list of Bigelow's service is also on a separate sheet of paper in the small volume. The medium volume has splits along the spine and some pages that are coming loose. It has a green label on the inside cover which reads: J. L. FAIRBANKS, / STATIONER / and / ACCOUNT BOOK MANUFACTURER / 136 Washington St., Boston. The third volume is in the best condition, with minor damage to the spine but very tight overall. Small notes have been placed between pages to mark pages containing interesting passages.

Price: $1,850

117-3

Marmaduke Multiply

A James Miller, NY published copy of the 1816 English Standard. Fabulous hand colored engravings with some of the finest and most colorful details.

Price: $400

ACD2

A Voyage to The Pacific Ocean, undertaken by the Command of His Majesty for Making, Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere to determine the position and Extent of the Western Side of North America; and the Practicability of a Northern Passage to Europe - SOLD

Performed under the Direction of Captain Cook, Clerke, and Gore, in his Majesty's Ships the Resolution, and Discovery

In the Years 1776, 1777,1778, 1779 and 1780, in Three Volumes

Dublin Edition, 1784. NO MAPS OR CHARTS; Reading Copy ONLY, Volumes 1 and 2 both have full spine cracks, although Volume 3 is intact. Contemporary Calf Binding.

If this edition were perfect with all maps and charts, it would run 1800-2000 dollars. But, if you'd like a shelf copy or reading copy at a small fraction of the price, this is a good buy. The spines could be repaired for a reasonable sum, but without maps and charts this will never be a collector's copy.

MCB14 - SOLD

History of the Royal Residences of Windsor Castle, St. James Palace, Carlton House, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, Buckingham House, and Frogmore.

Fine descriptions of Windsor Castle, St. James's Palace, Carlton House, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, Buckingham House, and Frogmore. By. W. H. Pyne. Illustrated by one hundred highly finished and coloured engravings, fac-similes of original drawings by the most eminent artists. In three volumes. London, Printed for A. Dry, 1819. Eight parts in three large quarto volumes. Red Morocco with fancy gold lettering. Some shelf wear and other minor issues; see pictures. Not pristine, but a very worth set of a very rare issue.

Price: $15,000

ACD

The Art of George Frederick Munn - Limited Edtition, Number 208 of 1000 Copies (NINETEENTH CENTURY ART, 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN ART)

Munn, Margaret Crosby and Cabot, Mary R. (editors). Limited Edition, unnumbered, but inscribed with several important additions., including a cabinet card of George F Munn in Mass General Hospital C. 1900 suffering from �La Grippe�; a mss. Letter from Munn�s wife, Margaret C. Munn, also a famous artist of the period; an inscription from from both Frederick and Margaret to Louise C Cobb, an apparent friend and admirer.. The volume itself suffers from shelf wear and reading usage, but is also covered in a less than protective paper cover with a MSS inscription of the title. Taken in it�s entirely, an important insight into Munn�s life as he lived it.

Price: $1,450

ACD

History of Manchester, Mass, Book

Book Description: Published By The Town, [manchester, Mass.], 1895. Hard cover. First Printing edition. - Very Good. No dust jacket. Folding map. Shelf and reading wear.

Price: $125

ACD

Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families
By Amos Otis

Book Description: 1890. Book Condition: Tight copy, but boards coming loose, spine loose, needs to be re-attached. Owner has written on inner front leaf with extensive ownership history. OTIS, Amos. 2 vols. in one. 8vo, orig. cloth; (ex- lib, inner hinge wea1k). Barnstable: F. Goss, 1888, 1890. Tow volumes in one; brown cloth cover needing restoration, yet a rare survivor. Technically, and ethically, a reading copy, yet one that shows the passion of research. A true researcher�s copy. If it were a musical instrument, it would be called a �player�s instrument; in need of a good home.

Price: $175

ACD

The Microcosm of London
Ackermann, Rudolph | Combe, William | Pugin | Rowlandson

Book Description: London: R. Ackermann�s Repository of Arts, 1808. Early Issue "Microcosm" in a Contemporary Binding ACKERMANN, R[udolph]. [The Microcosm of London; or, London in Miniature]. London: R. Ackermann�s Repository of Arts, [1808-1810].First edition, early issue, with text watermarked 1806-1807 and plates watermarked 1805-1808 ). Three large quarto volumes (12 7/8 x 10 11/16 inches; 327 x 271 mm With 104 hand-colored aquatint plates, including fifty-four by J. Bluck, twenty-nine by J.C. Stadler, ten by T. Sutherland, ten by J. Hill, and one by Harraden, after Rowlandson and Pugin "original impressions of these splendid plates have a luminous quality entirely absent from later printings". Minor water issues on some pages of one volume, not affecting plates or text. Worst pages are pictured. For the most part, a wonderful and early set of Ackermann�s best. These early sets often sell for $25,000

Price: $14,500

ACD