Three Letters On the Subject of the Marine Society. Let. I. On Occasion of Their Clothing for the Sea 3097 Men, and 2045 Boys, to the End of Dec. 1757. II. Pointing Out several Advantages Accruing to the Nation from This Institution.

Hanway, Jonas

Published by R.and J. Dosley, P. Vaillant, J. Waugh, London, 1758

About this Item

Engraved frontispiece, (1-2), vi, 8, 24, 23 (24), engraved frontispiece to Letter III + 67 (68), 12. Binding is missing except for remnants of leather and gilt on spine. Frontispiece is detached but complete with a rough edge on the hinge side and mild creasing. Engraving by Cipriani is clear and distinct. General title printed in red and black: Three letters On the Subject of the Marine Society. Let. I. On Occasion of their clothing for the Sea 3097 Men, and 2045 Boys, to the End of Dec. 1757. II. Pointing out several Advantages Accruing to the Nation from this Institution. III. Bein a full Detail of the Rules and Forms Of the Marine Society. With a List of the Subscribers to the 16th of February, and State of Accounts to the 23d of March, 1758. To which is prefixed, a General View of the Motives for establishing this Society. Each letter subsequently has its own title page. Title page has separated from the hinge for 1 1/2" at the top, but is secure. The bottom corner of last page is dog-eared and the flap has a closed tear. Text block is in very good condtion, secure and complete. Internally very clean with only light general toning and a small inventory number stamp on p. iii. Two additional smaller engravings illustrate the third letter. The Marine Society, founded in 1756, was the first charity dedicated to seafarers. Its founder, Jonas Hanway (1712-1786) was a trader who was concerned his crew would be poached to fight in the Kings navy as England was on the brink of war. His solution was as pragmatic as it was philanthropic. He recruited boys from poor backgrounds and gave them naval training so they were equipped to fight on the Kings ships. While this protected his own business interests, it also gave the boys a chance for a respected career, when few other opportunities were open to them. This began the Marine Societys relationship with what, over 100 years later, became the Royal Navy. (Marine Society website). Scarce primary source. Size: Quarto.

Seller Inventory # 026931

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Three Letters On the Subject of the Marine Society. Let. I. On Occasion of Their Clothing for the Sea 3097 Men, and 2045 Boys, to the End of Dec. 1757. II. Pointing Out several Advantages Accruing to the Nation from This Institution.
• Publisher: R.and J. Dosley, P. Vaillant, J. Waugh, London
• Publication Date: 1758
• Illustrator: G. B. Cipriani
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Binding
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Book Type: Book