Bennett, Frederick Debell | First edition of a work praised by Herman Melville

Bennett, Frederick Debell 

Narrative of a Whaling Voyage Round the Globe. London: Richard Bentley, 1840

2 volumes, 8vo (213 x 130 mm). 2 aquatint frontispieces and engraved folding map, wood engravings in the text; light spotting to map, frontispieces and title-pages. Contemporary calf gilt; rebacked, corner of upper cover of vol II repaired.

First edition of this important work on the whale industry, praised by Herman Melville.

Bennett sailed to Hawaii, Pitcairn, Tahiti and Madeira. He was joined on the English whaler, Tuscan, by members of the London Missionary Society. His extensive observations, especially concerning cetaceans, are widely considered to be some of the best of its time.

REFERENCES:

Ferguson 2936; Forbes 1192; Hill p 22; Howes B-357; Sabin 4726

PROVENANCE:

Samuel Alexander Cooke (bookplates)