Etchings of a Whaling Cruise, With Note of a Sojourn on the Island of Zanzibar. To Which is Appended a Brief History of the Whale Fishery, Its Past and Present Condition.

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1846. First edition of a key work on American whaling which, "gives a general picture of life on a whaling ship in the 1840s and... contains much information relevant to whaling in the Pacific Ocean." Forster 11. It was also an important source and inspiration for Herman Melville, who reviewed this book for "Literary World" in 1847. See also Jenkins p. 84. Howes B-877. Hill 197 - "Etchings... was his first book, and was written in large part to show what life was like on a whale ship, in order to better the lot of seamen. The narrative provides one of the few accounts we have of life in the whaling fleets of the 1840s, written by an intelligent and sensitive observer." Scattered light foxing. Very good condition. Rebound in half tan morocco over marbled boards with red spine label and gold lettering. Scarce in the trade, with nothing but reprints online as of 12/24. 22.5 cm. xiii, (2 - half title) 580, 8 (publisher's ads) pp. b/w engraved plates.