The Whole Art of Navigation. London, 1701
The oldest book in the McGuire Library is a 17th century treatise on navigation by Capt. Daniel Newhouse, first printed in London in 1685. Our edition dates from 1701. This rare item found its way to our Library because a bookseller in Minnesota discovered that among the previous owners were two New London ship captains: James Rogers (1704-1754) and his son James (1733-1803).
When the younger Rogers moved to New Hampshire, ownership passed in 1800 to one Truman Abell. The trail of ownership then disappeared for 215 years, reappearing in 2015 when a family heirloom was consigned to a Minneapolis rare book dealer. We are grateful that her research led to the New London Maritime Society and an opportunity to acquire the book before it was offered for sale to the general public.
The book's age, local connections and worn condition called for a custom-fitted clamshell box. After precise measuring Gene crafted this hinged, linen-covered box lined with marbled paper: elegant protection for a work of special significance to maritime New London.
When closed the clamshell box allows The Whole Art of Navigation to stand securely on the shelf alongside two 19th century editions of Nathaniel Bowditch's American Practical Navigator and related books.
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The Newhouse treatise apparently accompanied the Rogerses on their voyages, its navigation tables and instructions put to practical use. James the elder made many trips from New London to Bristol, England, and to the West Indies. His son sailed regularly between America and Rotterdam. Their florid signatures appear below, framed by Gene's clamshell box.
The Whole Art of Navigation is well traveled: From London, England, to New London, USA; New London to Europe and the West Indies and back; Connecticut to New Hampshire; New Hampshire to Minnesota; and finally from Minneapolis back to New London, 314 years after its pages came off the printing press of Richard Mount on London's Tower Hill.
The 1701 edition is also held at Harvard, the Smithsonian, and the Peabody Essex Museum. Three more editions, printed in the early 1700s, are at those libraries as well as Princeton, the Mariner's Museum in Virginia, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Britain's National Maritime Museum. The 1685 first edition is held at the British Library. Some editions also exist as eBooks.
Below: Capt. Newhouse included many engraved illustrations. These relate to the use of a quadrant.
