Buy this book on-line

'UNCLE' FRED HARTFORD : 1891 - 1892 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A RELATED 'GUEST' OF THE CAPTAIN IN THE ENVIABLE POSITION OF SHIP'S PURSER ON A 3 MASTED SCHOONER FROM NEW YORK TO HONG KONG AND BACK

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is a superb, though flawed, original manuscript 1891 - 1892 travel diary detailing day to day life workings and aboard a 3 masted schooner sailing to the 'far side of the world' from New York City to Hong Kong and back. Inscribed, in a later hand: 'Uncle Fred Hartford's Diary on Board The Sterling Capt. Geo. Goodwin 1891 - 1892 Voyage from New York to Hong Kong by Sailing Ship 196 days'. 'The Sterling' commanded by Captain George Goodwin and this extended trip to the Far East and back are told over approximately 181 intact pages, numbered page 3 - 184 with several loose pages, a small number of fragments, a 'supplement' notebook, two letters of correspondence, a photo of the ship and a twentieth century envelope bearing pertinent data and provenance written by family it appears on the outside. Genealogical notes on the envelope name Uncle Fred Hartford as a relative to the Captain inasmuch each man married cousins [we think!] who were sisters of the grandmother to the note writer!?! Flaws, fuzzy familial connection and all do not change the fact that the narrative is packed with details of life under sail as the author gives a day to day account starting with the position or location, weather and any and all interesting observations or occurrences. It would seem he has some knowledge of the sea and ship board life describing the sailor's handling of the backstays and other easy references to nautical nomenclature. But he also seems to delight in some new enjoyments like sitting up high in the mizzenmast. Maiden voyage or not Fred does a super job delivering a true picture of life aboard as he strives to bring the experience to life for the folks back home. They encounter some rather bad weather; discuss trading coconuts with natives in an almost hilarious scene to the natives at least to going on a 'pick nick' in Hong Kong the narrative is unique: Uncle Fred holds the benighted position of a working 'Guest' of the Captain. He spends much time working through a cigar on deck with George discussing the folks back home to who he is actually addressing as if one long huge letter. As to his duties he appears to act as ship's purser being in charge of the 'slops chest' and having some part in negotiating with the natives. Anyone familiar with the Master and Commander series will see a like situation between Captain Aubrey and his particular friend Dr. Maturin. The paper is somewhat brittle being the reason there was some fragmentation but we cannot account for the loss of the fist three pages. The vast majority of the piece is overall G.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.