Mountbatten Burma Louis Earl Bligh (1 results)

Signed limited issue, one of 50 unnumbered copies signed by Earl Mountbatten and finely bound by Zaehnsdorf, from a total edition of 500 copies (this number 163); the remaining 450 copies were issued unsigned in half leather. Mountbatten contributes the preface to this imposing volume, a facsimile of the log of Captain Bligh aboard HMS Providence, reproduced from the original manuscript held in the Public Record Office, Kew. The volume also includes an introduction by Stephen Walters, a renowned authority on Captain Bligh and the mutiny, as well as notes on the breadfruit plant by David Bellamy and a complete reproduction of John Ellis's book of 1775, A Description of the Mangostan and Breadfruits. The Providence was Bligh's second breadfruit voyage, which took place after the Bounty mutiny. Large quarto. Original green morocco by Zaehnsdorf, spine lettered in gilt, gilt to compartments with foliate motifs, covers panelled in gilt enclosing breadfruit centrepiece to front cover and gilt facsimile signature of Bligh to rear cover, gilt turn-ins, brown moiré silk endpapers, gilt edges. Housed in the original green cloth box. Colour collotype reproduction of Sydney Parkinson's breadfruit watercolour as frontispiece, folding maps, facsimiles throughout. Box lightly rubbed with beginning of split at head of front joint; a fine copy.