BLIGH, CAPTAIN WILLIAM--CHRISTIAN, EDWARD

FIRST EDITION, 4to (255 x 211mm.), 12pp., red straight-grained morocco, blue drab endpapers

Ferguson 218; not in Hill but cf. 143 (modern reprint)

A very good copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An exceptionally rare work (no records on Americana Exchange or American Book Prices Current).

This is perhaps the rarest of a series of three publications concerning the proceedings of the trial of the crew members of the Bounty. The first was Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court-Martial at Portsmouth, August 12, 1792. On Ten Persons charged with Mutiny on Board His Majesty's Ship the Bounty. With an Appendix, containing a full Account of the real Causes and Circumstances of that unhappy Transaction, the most material of which have hitherto been withheld from the Public (1794) (see lot 145 and footnote). The appendix had been written by Edward Christian, the brother of the mutineer Fletcher, and elicited Bligh's An answer to certain assertions contained in the appendix to a pamphlet, entitled Minutes of the proceedings on the court-martial (1794). The final publication in the series was this reply by Christian (which is uniformly bound with lot 145).