WITH 100 PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES OF AMERICA'S GREAT 19TH-CENTURY YACHTS

PEABODY, Henry G. Representative American Yachts. A Collection of One Hundred Views. Boston: Henry G. Peabody, 1891-92. Ten volumes. Oblong folio (11 by 14 inches), original wrappers, cord bound. Housed together in a custom clamshell box. $8800.

First edition, issued in parts, preceding the book publication by over a year, with 100 beautiful toned heliotype folio photographic images of American yachts.

Photographer Henry Peabody worked in the Boston are in the 1880s, producing fine marine photographs in addition to his more prolific production of landscapes. Included here are images of the America's Cup defenders and candidates: Volunteer, Mayflower, Puritan, Priscilla, Atlantic. The individual parts then work downwards in size towards smaller yachts, ending with "Twenty-One Footers" in part 10. It is noteworthy that the legendary yacht "America," the first winner of the America's Cup, is presented in part 2 in her 1890s guise, after she had been rebuilt and lengthened in the 1870s and 1880s. The bibliography of this scarce work is complicated. Peabody began selling these in 1891 in separate parts, each with 10 plates. After the completion of the series in 1892, he issued them in book format in 1893 (and also in a smaller octavo format that same year). In 1895, an expanded, limited (to 175 copies) version was issued, with an extra gathering of 10 photos, for a total of 110. Additionally, part 5 was issued separately as a hardbound book: a small printed "Notice to Subscribers" notes this edition, calling it "a most desirable gift book for the holidays." Six volumes with renewed ties.

Scattered mostly marginal foxing, only occasionally affecting images; mild wear to fragile original wrappers. Quite rare: Worldcat only lists one other copy, held by the Huntington Library.