Blanckley, Thomas Riley.

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

A naval expositor: shewing and explaining the words and terms of art belonging to the parts, qualities, and proportions of building, rigging, furnishing, and fitting a ship for sea. London: E. Owen, and engraved by Paul Fourdrinier, 1750, 4to (260 x 205mm.), engraved title-page, panel with engraved illustration and text in border of each page, eighteenth-century calf, spine gilt in compartments, red morocco lettering-piece, marginal worming, text block splitting, upper cover becoming detached

Ibid. A naval expositor shewing all the words and terms of art belonging to the parts qualities proportions of building rigging furnishing & fitting a ship for sea... 1732 by T. B., manuscript, folio (289 x 172mm.), ruled throughout in red, ff. 46, i.e. blank leaf, title-page (verso blank), blank leaf, 82pp., blank leaf, "names of each particular part" (verso blank), coloured illustrations throughout, eighteenth-century red morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, a few ink smudges, binding worn

Provenance

1st work: J. C. Schetley, signature on title-page; 2nd work: James Hope, bookplate with motto "at spes non fracta" ("hope is not lost"). This may possibly be Sir James Hope (1808-1881), fearless but feckless naval officer; R.D. Steedman, Newcastle-on-Tyne, bookseller's label on pastedown

Literature

English Maritime Books 201

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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."

Catalogue Note

Little is known of Thomas Riley Blanckley's life or career, although his dictionary of naval terms was both popular and influential. Blanckley was clerk of the survey at Portsmouth and, in 1746, was made commissioner of the victualling office. There is evidence that the handsome manuscript copy, although in a "finished" state and resembling quite closely in appearance the first printed edition of 1750, is a work in progress. Entries pertaining to such items as "amain", "dogger" et al. appear in the printed, but not the manuscript, copy. Although a manuscript note on the verso of the front endpaper states "apparently the author's original MS", there is no definite internal basis for this. A further manuscript of A Naval Expositor, the date of which has been estimated to be "c. 1733", is in the National Maritime Museum (MS94/023).