1900 Rare Book bound by Root & Son - The CRUISE Of The "CACHALOT" Round the World After Sperm Whales.
(description)
Author: Bullen, Frank T.
Title: The CRUISE Of The "CACHALOT" Round the World After Sperm Whales.
Publisher: London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1900. Second edition (stated).
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8 " X 5.5 ".
Pages: xx-379 pages.
Binding: Attractive and good binding, bound by Root & Son bindery in London, in half blue morocco leather over matching marbled covers (hinges fine, very small loss on the upper part of the spine - as shown, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, spine slightly faded - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing - as shown, name of a previous owner on the second blank page - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the folding map and the 8 full-page illustrations.
The book: Attractive edition in a nice Root & Son binding for the Famous Cruise of the Cachalot -- an 1898 semi-autobiographical travel narrative by Frank T. Bullen that depicts a whaling expedition from a seaman's perspective. After its initial publication, the book sold well amongst readers and was well-liked. The work was included on a number of early 20th-century primary and secondary school reading lists, and Rudyard Kipling's letters include references to his having read the work with his children.
The author: Frank Thomas Bullen (April 5, 1857 – March 1, 1915), British author and novelist, was born of poor parents in Paddington, London, on 5 April 1857, and was educated for a few years at a dame school and Westbourne school, Paddington. At the age of 9, his aunt, who was his guardian, died. He then left school and took up work as an errand boy. In 1869 he went to sea and traveled to all parts of the world in various capacities including that of second mate of the Harbinger and chief mate of the Day Dawn, under Capt. John R. H. Ward jun in 1879 when she was dismasted and disabled. His reputation was made over the publication of The Cruise of the "Cachalot" (1898)...