1818 Narrative Commerce Shipwreck James Riley + Oswego Paddock Pirates Arabs

1818 Narrative Commerce Shipwreck James Riley + Oswego Paddock Pirates Arabs

“My aim [of this Narrative] has been merely to record, in plain and unvarnished language, scenes in which I was a principal actor, of real and heart-appalling distresses.” ­

– James Riley, Narrative

A rare early printing of Captain James Riley’s account of the shipwreck of the American ship Commerce. This rare issue also includes Judah Paddock’s ‘Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Oswego.’ This third edition is the first to contain both works.

In 1815, James Riley survived a disastrous shipwreck and was enslaved by Arabs in Morocco. Two years later, Riley published the first iteration of this book, and it became an instant favorite to many readers…including President Abraham Lincoln! It includes incredible engravings depicting the famed adventures!

Item number: #909

Price: $499

RILEY, James

An authentic narrative of the loss of the American brig Commerce, wrecked on the western coast of Africa, in the month of August, 1815 : with an account of the sufferings of her surviving officers and crew, who were enslaved by the wandering Arabs on the great African desart [sic], or Zahahrah; and observations historical, geographical, etc., made during travels of the author, while a slave to the Arabs, and in the empire of Morocco

New-York : The author, 1818.

Details:

• Collation complete with all pages: [xiv], [2], 407; [xv], [1], 186.
  • 10 engravings
• Binding: Leather; tight & secure
• References: Huntress 190C (Riley) and 193C (Paddock); Sabin 71397; Shaw & Shoemaker, 45548.
• Provenance: Handwritten – George S. Sheen
• Language: English
• Size: ~8.75in X 5.5in (22.5cm x 14cm)

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