Item #97442 Two Years Abaft the Mast or Life as a Sea Apprentice [First edition, inscribed and signed by Author at Melbourne]. F. W. H. Symondson.

Two Years Abaft the Mast or Life as a Sea Apprentice [First edition, inscribed and signed by Author at Melbourne]

Edinburgh: William Blackwood & Sons, 1876. 1st ed., octavo, pp.xii, 380, uncut, fore-edge and top edge foxed, occasional foxing to pages, prev. owner’s name, J.I.H. [Jule Isidore Henry] Gibbins (the author’s brother-in-law), to half title and t.p., full page inscription on verso of half-title, signed by the Author, Melbourne 23rd December 1889, orig blind stamped cloth bds., gilt decorated spine with ship and anchor designs. Very good condn.

Rare first edition. Symondson (1854-1890] who served with the British Marine Service from 1872, describes his time in apprentices’ quarters (abaft the mast) on board the 724 ton clipper ‘Sea Queen’. Charted by London brokers with a general cargo bound for Australia, the author provides an account of his visit to Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle. Author’s inscription states that the book originally belonged to ‘Uncle Henry’ (Henry J. Gibbins of Rosedale Lodge, West Dulwich), a Perfumer of H.J. Gibbins & Co. Thence by descent to his son, Jule Isidore Henry, whose ownership signature appears on two pages, and, who was a brother of Alphonsine Marie Gibbins (the author’s wife). Symondson as executor of Gibbins’ Estate now presents this book to “cousin Nellie (Pett)”, daughter of Madame Pett (nee Victorine Gibbins) of Prahran, Melbourne who had emigrated to Australia in the 19th century. Ferguson 16645. Item #97442

Price (AUD): $950.00   Other currencies

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