"A LANDMARK WORK ON CONFEDERATE NAVAL HISTORY"

SCHARF, John Thomas. History of the Confederate States Navy from its Organization to the Surrender of its Last Vessel. New York: Rogers & Sherwood, 1887. Thick octavo, original green cloth with gilt vignette on front cover. $1100.

First edition of this important Confederate naval history—"the best on its subject"—with 42 full-page wood-engraved plates and numerous in-text illustrations, in original gilt-stamped cloth.

"This is a landmark work on Confederate naval history, written with the authority of an Confederate naval officer who experienced action in the war. It constitutes a general survey of all Confederate operations at sea and on rivers" (Eicher). Scharf served as a midshipman in the Confederate navy in 1863 and produced, among many other works, his History of the Confederate States Navy, "still unsurpassed in its wealth of information" (Harwell 162) and considered "the best on its subject" (Nevins). In-text illustrations include maps and diagrams of ships and torpedoes. Howes S147. Eicher 15. Nevins I, 233. In Tall Cotton 162.

Interior very fresh with only light soiling mainly to preliminary leaves, inner hinges expertly reinforced, trace of edge-wear to bright gilt-stamped original cloth. A very handsome near-fine copy.