33 - BURGUES DE MISSIESSY QUIES (E. Th.).

BURGUES DE MISSIESSY QUIES (E. Th.). Mooring of Ships. Paris, Royal Printing Office, 1789. Quarto, marbled calfskin, smooth spine with decoration, triple gilt fillet framing the covers with gilt coats of arms in the center, double gilt fillet on the edges (contemporary binding). First and only edition, illustrated with 6 beautiful copperplate engravings depicting ship’s cross-sections (iron ballast, cargo holds, and the installation of the false deck). The author joined the navy at the age of 10 and served under d’Estaing during the American War of Independence, notably at Newport, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Savannah. In the year of publication, he commanded a frigate in the Mediterranean, and in 1793, he was promoted to rear admiral. (Polak 1320.) A fine copy bearing the coat of arms of Louis XVI stamped in the center of each cover. (O.H.R. 2496, stamp no. 11.) Some wear and minor repairs.