Parker, Foxhall A. The Battle of Mobile Bay (1878) with map - Source for Ferragut's "Damn the Torpedoes"

[Civil War] Parker, Foxhall A. The Battle of Mobile Bay, and the Capture of Forts Powell, Gaines and Morgan, by the Combined Sea and Land Forces of the United States . . . August, 1864. A. Williams & Co., Boston, 1878.

First Edition. Binding: Hardcover (Embossed Cloth). Book Condition: Very Good- Condition. Size: About 10" - Small Quarto (Sm. 4to). 136 pages. Item Type: Book.

Parker's book is a key near-contemporary source for the battle, including a great deal of documentary material and provides the first account of Farragut's famous "Damn the torpedoes!" command (p. 29)

An important feature of this copy is that the pocket on the inside back cover contains one of the two maps called for by the title page, both of which are missing in all other copies currently on the market. The map, which is printed on a heavy vellum-like translucent paper, is labeled "Entrance of Admiral Ferragut in to Mobile Bay." It folds out to 22.5" by 17" and is printed (or hand colored) in five colors to show the five "stand points of the Mobile fight." The map is reinforced at the folds by cellophane tape on the back. There is one 1/2" chip at the margin of one of the folds. 

Text block is tight. The pages are slightly toned from age, but are printed on good quality paper. There are a few small spots scattered through the pages and a few penciled check marks in the margins. Blue cloth over boards with beveled edges. There is a pattern of lines and stars embossed in black at the top and bottom of the front cover, along with a bright gilt engraving of a three-masted rigged ship. Title in dulled gilt on the spine. There is heavy wear at the corners and head and foot of the spine, with the bottom tips worn to the board. There is a smudge above the ship and scattered spotting on the front cover. There is some light foxing to the engraved frontis engraving of Farragut and the tissue paper that protects it, as well as the recto of the title page. There is the remnant of an embossed ownership seal in the upper right corner of the title page The lower part appears to have the name "Navy Department", but it has been almost rubbed flat, making the rest hard to read. The map has the name of a former owner, who was a retired Army colonel, written in ink at the bottom margin. A previous bookseller has written a price and note about the extant map in pencil on the front free end paper. All edges clean, neat and free of foxing. There is a crease down the middle of the title page and it appears there may have been a tear about half way down the page, but it was repaired years ago with cellophane tape on the verso.

Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1 lb 4 oz. Category: Antiquarian & Rare; Civil War; Naval; United States; 19th century; Military & Warfare. ISBN: No ISBN. Inventory No: 1106.
PRICE: $US 375