About this Item
Sixteenth edition, first published in 1805. A well-preserved copy of what was undoubtedly the most successful navigational publication of the 19th century, with provenance showing Norie's international influence. Born in Wapping, the son of a Scots Presbyterian schoolmaster, Norie (1772-1843) first published a technical work, The Description and Use of Hadley's Quadrant, in 1796. By the following year, he was drawing charts for his publisher, William Heather, a chart and instrument seller, and teaching navigation. By 1800, he was the "keeper of a nautical academy" at Heather's premises in Leadenhall Street. Soon after, his two best-known works were published: A Complete Set of Nautical Tables in 1803 and A Complete Epitome of Practical Navigation in 1805. Editions of the Epitome, many including the Tables, were published for over a century, and editions of the Tables continue to be published to this day (ODNB). After Heather's death in 1813, Norie bought out the business with capital from a partner, but the copyright of his own books and the nautical academy remained his personal property. The partnership traded as J. W. Norie & Co. and was managed by him. It grew steadily, publishing large numbers of charts and sailing directions, most of which were drawn and written by Norie himself. The Leadenhall Street premises, decorated with the trade sign of the Wooden Midshipman, were immortalized by Charles Dickens in Dombey and Son as the shop kept by Sol Gills. Norie's charts and books made his name well known among seamen for nearly two centuries, a success attributed to his teaching ability, prolific output, and commercial shrewdness. This copy includes a pair of ownership inscriptions on the endpapers. On the front pastedown, C. Olsson recorded the purchase in Liverpool in 1857, and the subsequent signature of "O. H. Olsson, Karlshamn" appears on the front free endpaper. Karlshamn is a strategically located seaport on the Baltic, which experienced significant growth in the 19th century, particularly after the establishment of Lars Olsson Smith's distillery business. Octavo (212 x 130 mm). Engraved frontispiece, 8 plates. Contemporary Swedish half binding of green diced roan, spine gilt lettered direct, compartments formed by gilt and blind rolls, blind floral roll at spine edges, Schrötel marbled boards and edges, yellow glazed paper endpapers. Spine lightly sunned, overall a touch rubbed, endpapers at inner hinges cracked, but the cords sound; contents with occasional mild foxing, else clean; an unusually well preserved and pleasing copy.
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