Two Years Before The Mast, A Personal Narrative Of Life At Sea, Edited from the original manuscript and from the First Edition, with Journals and Letters of 1834-1836 and 1859-1860, and notes by John Haskell Kemble with original illustrations by Robert A. Weinstein and Illustrated from contemporary paintings, prints, and charts by Dana, Richard Henry, Jr. / John Haskell Kemble, Editor - 1964

The Ward Ritchie Press, Los Angeles, 1964; First Edition; Two octavo volumes, a total of 552 pages; tan cloth; map end papers; Illustrated. Richard Henry Dana Jr.’s engrossing first hand account of his voyage to and along the California coast, sailing out from Boston Harbor in August of 1834 as a common seaman aboard the merchant brig Pilgrim, rounding Cape Horn in November, anchoring at Point Conception for the first time in January of the following year, and thence, after more than a year of backbreaking service in California waters, working the return passage in bitter winter on board the ship Alert and returning to Boston in September of 1836. Edited and with informative introduction and background annotations throughout by eminent maritime historian John Haskell Kemble. Substantial appendices include copies of Dana’s original voyage journals and letters; the letters of Captain Francis A. Thompson, commander of both the Pilgrim and the Alert; lists of crew members of both ships; a list of maritime vessels and persons active at the time; and an extensive glossary of nautical terms. Generously illustrated with period photographs of the California seacoast and port towns from San Diego to San Francisco, plus handsome nautical illustrations by Robert A. Weintstein. Both volumes Fine, in a Very Good and sturdy slipcase.