Fine Books & Manuscripts

[NAVAL]. WELLES, Gideon (1802–1878, his copy). Report of the Secretary of the Navy in Relation to Armored Vessels. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1864. 8vo. Numerous maps and plans (several folding). Half contemporary black morocco over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt lettering in upper compartment, all edges marbled. Provenance: Gideon Welles (1802–1878), United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869 (bookplate); Charles S. Schwartz (bookplate). FIRST EDITION of this first–hand account of naval engagements of ironclads. GIDEON WELLES OWN COPY. Welles was appointed the position of Secretary of the Navy by Abraham Lincoln after supporting the president–elect in the 1860 election. Welles has been viewed as being one of the major influences of the Union victory in the Civil War by sealing off the Confederate coastline and preventing the exchange of cotton for war supplies. –– [TOGETHER WITH:] ZABRISKIE, George A. Ships’ Figureheads in and about New York. Florida, 1946. 8vo. Illustrated from photographs. Half contemporary blue levant gilt over marbled boards, top edge gilt, gilt dentelles, gilt–stamp signed by GAZ, original cloth bound in (spine sunned). SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR.