CLERK (John). An Essay on Naval Tactics, Systematical and Historical. With Explanatory Plates.1804

Edinburgh: Printed for Archd. Constable & Co., Second edition, 4to (270 x 210 mm), [6], xv, [1], [5]-287, [1]pp., 52 partially coloured engraved plates of naval manoeuvres, some light foxing and offsetting, cont. half calf Richardson of Newcastle, with their binder's ticket, marbled boards, rubbed, joints starting but holding firm. First published in four parts between 1790 and 1797 this was "one of the first British account of tactics, as opposed to a work in French translation, and for its criticism of the current Royal Naval practice of looking more to signal books to the detriment of fighting instructions."—(ODNB). Provenance: Engraved bookplate of Bubble Atkinson on front paste-down. Adams & Waters, 2150; NMM V, 736.