May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
Beatson, Robert. "NAVAL AND MILITARY MEMOIRS OF GREAT BRITAIN FROM 1727-1783." London: Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 1804. 2nd (expanded) Edition. Complete in six volumes. Original marbled boards with quarter leather binding, spine with title and tooled decorations in gilt, and marbled endpapers bearing vacant library plates. Vol. I: 525, Vol. II: vi, 609pp; Vol. III: xv, 448pp; Vol. IV: xvi, 576pp + 1p Errata; Vol. V: xvi, 715pp; Vol. VI: xx, 494pp. Second (and greatly expanded superior) edition; the first, published in 1790, was in three volumes and ended prior to the American Revolution. Volumes 4-6 are devoted to the later conflict, beginning in 1775 and concluding in 1783. "Particularly useful for the army's campaigns in America" (Bruce). Beatson saw service in the amphibious expeditions against Rochefort in 1758, and later at Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1762. On his father's death he came into an inheritance and concentrated on a literary career. "He was befriended by Adam Smith, and benefited for several years from Smith's conversation and library. The preface states that the present work relates to "Military Transactions such as have a relation to maritime affairs, or are connected with naval services" and contains detailed accounts of naval engagements "with considerable use of official reports, particularly in the appendices. It was well received by critics." Bruce 2844; NMM, V, 1213; Sabin 4145. CONDITION: An exceptionally fine and clean set in original period binding, the leather spines showing a little edge wear at the top and bottom caps, the binding tight and the pages bright and clean. JLK