The Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France in 1793, to the Accession of George IV

London: Richard Bentley, 1837 . Leather. Very Good Indeed. 9" by 6". Not Stated. A beautiful edition of naval historian William James's detailed and richly illustrated history of the Royal Navy, in signed half morocco bindings by Riviere. A 'New Edition' of naval historian William James's impressive work, in which he aims to provide an exacting and detailed account of every naval war operation between 1793 and 1820.James consulted every published work on the subject that he could locate, alongside French and English official narratives, while also including details from ship logs, and where possible personal testimonies from individuals involved.Illustrated with six portrait frontispieces, eighteen further portrait plates, and with twenty-eight folding tables to volume VII. Collated, complete.This six volume work is here bound in seven volumes, with the folding tables making up the final volume.In beautiful half morocco bindings by R. Riviere, with gilt detailing to spines.With the armorial bookplate of John Brymer to each front pastedown, and with the stamp of his 'Heir-Loom' library to each title page.Sometimes described as a 'monument to accuracy', James's work offers an almost unparallelled level of detailed insight into naval movements during the Napoleonic wars and surrounding years. In half morocco signed bindings by R. Riviere, with marbled paper covered boards. Externally, excellent, with gilt tooling to spines. Minor rubbing to joint heads. Armorial bookplates to front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Stamp of 'John Brymer's Heir-Loom' library to title pages. Significant spotting and instances of foxing to engraved plates, with offsetting and spotting to surrounding leaves. Pages otherwise clean and bright. Spotting to fore edges of folding tables. Very Good Indeed