J. Israel and H. Lundt. Journal of a Cruize in the U.S. Ship Delaware 74, in the Mediterranean, in the Years 1833 & 34, together with a Sketch of a Journey to Jerusalem. Mahon: The Widow Serra and Son, 1835. First edition of this account. Sixteenmo in fours. Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches. [iv], 106 (mispaginated, really 107, as every page after page 80 shifted down), [1, blank] pages. Bound in contemporary quarter brown calf over marbled boards, spine stamped in gilt. Binding worn, front free endpaper lacking, pages 102-104 partially loose, the final blank page is affixed to the recto of the rear free endpaper with three wax pieces. On the front free endpaper recto is a contemporary ownership signature ("Philly Seckham"). Some occasional soiling, foxing in text. Still, a very good example of a rare item (as best as we can tell, only three copies of this have appeared at auction, before this one, in the last 100 years).

It is strange that the authors chose to write this account when the voyage was only at its halfway point. It was intended for the edification of the crew ("the information of our Shipmates, in regard to the localities of situation in which we have been placed during our Cruize"). (page 25). Although the prose is informal (with many typographical errors), this is an interesting account in colloquial language. Sabin 35267.