[PHYSICAL SCIENCES] [ASTRONOMY] CLARK, Lewis

Theoretical Navigation and Nautical Astronomy

New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1872. First Edition. Presentation copy, inscribed "To Commander J.S. Skerrett with the regards of the author," undated but apparently contemporary. Octavo; publisher's pebbled cloth stamped in gilt and blind; 114,[16]pp. Errata slip inserted folowing author's introduction; 16pp publisher's catalog of "Naval Books." Bit of discoloration at base of front cover; private library stamp to front endpaper and title page; Very Good.

A basic treatise on astral navigation, written as a textbook for students at the U.S. Naval Academy, where the author was an assistant professor in the Department of Astronomy. Inscribed to J.S. Skerrett, at this time commanding officer of the U.S.S. Portsmouth. A nice copy of what was, according to a contemporary review in the journal Popular Science, "...a harmful book, being full of doubtful statements, of confused mathematics and questionable precepts, and one not likely to improve the art of navigation, or the science of nautical astronomy, in any way."

Price: $150.00

Go Back