Treatise on Marine and Naval Architecture. With Broadsheet prospectus for "The Progressive Shipbuilder" by Griffiths, John W - 1850

NY: The Author, 1850. Griffiths was an influential naval architect who was important in the development of clipper ship design. This work includes a history of shipbuilding and consideration of development in the design of many types of vessels including merchant and naval ships, with plans and offsets printed in 49 figures and plates. McDonald calls it, an important American theoretical and practical work by the designer of Rainbow and Sea Witch. McDonald 307 (citing 1860 ed.), and Brewington says, Griffiths works of great value. Contain many plates of lines, details, masting rules, tables of offsets, etc. Brewington, Bib. of Am. Shipbuilding. (citing 1851 ed.) Scott 713 (1857 ed.) This is the first edition, and scarce as such, not being noted in any of the above bibliographies. It is in a full leather presentation binding with gold decorations on the front board and the name "Js. H. Peterson" in gold on the front board. The gold decorated backstrip has been professionally laid down and shows some chipping. The text and plates, which are often foxed, are clean in this copy. Water staining in upper corner of some pages, not affecting text or plates. In Very Good condition overall, with a prospectus for another work by Griffiths, "The Progressive Shipbuilder" laid in.. b/w plates. 4to. 416 pp.