O'bryen Christopher (3 results)

Condition: VG. First Edition. Author/Editor: Christopher O'Bryen, Esq. (Adapted from the original French treatise by Paul L'Hoste) Title: Naval Evolutions: or, A System of Sea-Discipline; Extracted from the Celebrated Treatise of P. L'Hoste, Professor of Mathematics, in the Royal Seminary of Toulon; Confirmed by Experience; Illustrated by Examples from the Most Remarkable Sea-Engagements between England and Holland; Embellished with Eighteen Copper-Plates; And Adapted to the Use of the British Navy. Publication: London: Printed for W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street, MDCCLXII [1762]. Format: Quarto / 11"x8.5" Content Overview This 1762 publication is a highly significant English adaptation of Paul L'Hoste's pioneering 1697 work, L'Art des Armées Navales, which was one of the very first major treatises on naval tactics. Adapted by Christopher O'Bryen, a Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy, this edition was specifically tailored to serve the needs of the British Royal Navy during the mid-18th century. In addition to Hoste's core theories on fleet formations, signaling, and tactical maneuvers, O'Bryen's edition includes several important supplementary texts: An abstract on the theory of ship-building. An essay on naval discipline by a "Late Experienced Sea-Commander." A general overview of the armament of the French Navy, complete with practical observations. The work is prized for its detailed fold-out copper-plate engravings, which beautifully illustrate complex fleet maneuvers, wind directions, and naval engagements. Physical Description & Condition Binding: Rebound in a handsome full brown calf leather. The front and rear boards feature traditional blind-tooled paneling. The spine is detailed with raised bands, decorative gilt tooling in the compartments, and a contrasting red morocco label lettered in gilt ("NAVAL EVOLUTIONS"). Endpapers: Features vibrant, multi-colored marbled endpapers. Text Block: Textually complete. Pages show typical age-toning. The title page exhibits a brown stain in the lower-center section, with scattered foxing and minor blemishes throughout, some damp staining to last handful of pages. Plates: The title page calls for eighteen copper-plates. Note: This copy contains 16 of the fold-out copper-plates, lacking 2 to be complete. The present plates depict striking maritime scenes and complex ships-of-the-line formations, maintaining strong impressions with standard fold lines as issued. .

First edition of O'Bryen's partial translation of Paul Hoste's important L'art des armées navales (1697), "the first major work on naval tactics", which exercised a profound influence (Tunstall p. 59). Signed on the front pastedown endpaper "Sir H. Popham"; Popham's (1762-1820) invention of a telegraphic code was used and greatly admired by Nelson in the West Indies and at Trafalgar. "In navigation, combined operations, and hydrography, as in his more spectacular exploits, [Popham's] intelligence, curiosity, and enthusiasm - always at the service of the navy and his country - shine throughout his life. He was perhaps 'plausible', and certainly unconventional and controversial, yet he was a brilliant empiricist, a fine seaman, and a just and enlightened captain" (ODNB). Hoste's system depended on the five "ordres de marches", orders of sailing that provided the method to form the close-hauled line that Hoste deemed essential to success, and which retained their primacy in the French navy throughout the age of sail. Among his more practically lasting innovations was the detailed theoretical exposition of the tactic of breaking the enemy's line, "a manoeuvre he felt was much used in the Anglo-Dutch War" (Tunstall, p. 62) - and used daringly by Nelson with such brilliant effect. O'Bryen's work was much needed and was intended to serve as a "private doctrinal book" for Royal Navy officers (Tritten, p. 8). Although Tritten is critical of O'Bryen's way with French, he concedes that his book "signalled a growing desire by fleet officers to have a tactical manual in book format". As the Critical Review noted: "It is surprising that, in a commercial nation which hath attained to the highest pinnacle of naval power, this should be the first treatise (so far as we know) upon naval discipline, published by any native or subject of Great Britain". Adams & Waters 2150; ESTC T115206. The Critical Review, Vol. XII, 1762; James J. Tritten, Doctrine and Fleet Tactics in the Royal Navy, 1994; Brian Tunstall, Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail, 1990. Quarto, pp. viii, 90, [11]. With 18 folding engraved plates and the final leaf of "Ships lost by the English during the present War" (recto) and errata (verso). Original blue-grey boards rebacked to style, new label. Modern bookplate of Mario and Fiammetta Witt; Fiammetta (19212011) was granddaughter of the antiquarian bookseller and publisher Leo S. Olschki. Neat repair to front lower corner, a few marks to covers, corners worn, a couple of gatherings with marginal stain. A very good copy, unopened in places.

Condition: Near Fine. First edition. First edition. 18 engraved plates (most folding) and 2 letterpress charts. viii, 90, [2] pp. 4to. Christopher O'Bryen was a Lieutenant in the Royal British Navy when he wrote this work, which is the English translation and adaptation of Paul Hoste's L'Art des Armées Navales (Lyon, 1727), which is "a standard work on naval tactics" (NMM) This work is amply illustrated with stirking folding copper-plate engravings that depict ship formations, notable attacks and defenses and even coastal bombardments. It provides a remarkable snapshot of the British Navy (and French Navy) in the end of the eighteenth century, published at the tail end of the Seven Years War, which ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The bookplate of John Denis Browne, First Marquess of Sligo (1756-1809), an Irish peer and politician, provides an interesting element of contemporary provenance. ESTC T115206; Cf. NMM V, 736. Provenance: John Denis Browne, 1st Marquess of Sligo (bookplate) Contemporary quarter calf and marbled boards. Near fine 18 engraved plates (most folding) and 2 letterpress charts. viii, 90, [2] pp. 4to.