First edition of a pictorial maritime encyclopaedia and dictionary, written by the famous Danish shipbuilder Diderik Hansteen Funch (1791-1856). The first part describes and illustrates numerous aspects of shipbuilding and rigging, including timber work and framing, knot making and. The second part is a dictionary of terminology used for ship parts and details, as well as for the sailing itself, including the whole typical seamen's vocabulary.
Funch was one of the most important builders and designers of warships in Denmark of his time, building both sailing vessels and paddle steamers. "Ships designed according to Funch's system had parabolle waterlines and curves; all the curves were thus mathematically determined. Funch's system seems to have influenced ship design in the provinces from about 1830 to 1845-50" (Nielsen). He described his ideas on shipbuilding in several books for which he also prepared the drawings.
With the blind library stamp of 'Det Lergenborgske bibliothek' and two written shelsmarks on the title-page. Binding somewhat worn at the extremities and title label damaged. Foxed throughout and the plates have been browned, but nevertheless a good copy. Dodge, "Bibliography of Danish and Swedish Dictionaries", in: PMLA, 5/4 (1890), pp. 298; Cf. Nielsen, Skibsbygning i Danmark, pp. 139-140; Dansk biografisk lexicon V, pp. 492-493.