Nautical and Astronomical Tables, compiled and computed for facilitating Operations in Navigation and Nautical Astronomy: comprising several New Tables, particularly adapted for the Mean Atmospherical Refractions in the East and West Indies, as well as in the Temperate and Frigid Zones.

Scarce first edition, a subscriber's copy in a smart presentation binding, inscribed on the first blank: "Sir Chas. Forbes Bart. MP, With the Author's respectful compliments". We have traced a single copy only at auction: at Sotheby's (1968), part of an "important collection of books on navigation and astronomy". This is a significant work with an interesting East India Company provenance. Lynn (1774-1847), naval officer in the East India Company and teacher of navigation, was HEIC examiner in nautical astronomy based next to the company's Leadenhall Street headquarters. Forbes (1774-1849) was head of the Bombay trading house Forbes & Co., whose name "ranked high in the commercial world for ability, foresight, and rectitude of character" (ODNB). His was a highly independent and influential voice on matters relating to India, as well as being a vocal opponent of the Company's monopoly, and an early advocate of women's suffrage. The tables alone had been published in 1824 under the title Astronomical and other Tables. The present work, which became commonly known as "Lynn's Tables", includes a little under 200 additional pages of text explaining the tables, along with notes on Hadley's sextant, chronometers, a transit instrument, longitude, the use of celestial globes, and much more. The authors of Historical and Descriptive Account of British India (1832) noted that "Navigators are greatly indebted to Captain Thomas Lynn, of the honourable company's service, for his admirable work on navigation". The subscribers list - a fascinating compendium of the great and the good of the Royal Navy and EIC - comprises 292 individuals and institutions, taking a total of 336 copies: Trinity House subscribe for 21, James Horsburgh, author of the famous East India Directory, takes 3, and two of Nelson's "Band of Brothers" are present, Captain Sir Thomas Hardy and Admiral Ben Hallowell. Octavo (241 x 145 mm). With 2 engraved plates (Hadley's sextant and Mariner's Compass & Rectifier), diagrams in text. Presentation binding of contemporary red straight-grain morocco, spine with five low bands, compartments elaborately gilt, sides with border of paired gilt fillets and corner rosettes enclosing concentric gilt and blind decorative panels, paired gilt fillets to board edges and turn-ins, moderate yellow green surface-paper endpapers, gilt edges. Binding professionally refurbished, a few marks to covers and scuffs to edges, fore edge of presentation leaf and title page skilfully repaired, finger soiling to presentation leaf, title page, and plates. A handsome copy.…