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A teenage sailor’s adventures in Arabia, Mumbai and elsewhere

JAMES, Silas.
A narrative of a voyage to Arabia, India; &c; ...; with remarks on the genius and disposition of the natives of Arabia Felix; ...
London, printed by William Glindon, sold by the author, [1797]. 8vo. With a frontispiece portrait of the author engraved by William Newman. Modern dark brown calf, gold-tooled spine. “VI” [= VIII], 7, [1 blank], [1], 10-232 pp.
€ 8,500
First edition, second issue (with a cancel title-page and an added list of about 160 subscribers) of a young man's detailed account of his adventures as a teenage member of the crew of a British transport ship in the years 1780 to 1784. He gives accounts of people, customs, food, animals and events in the places he visits, first the Cape, then up the African coast to the Arabian peninsula and on to Bombay (Mumbai) where he found his father, deserted his ship and lived royally for more than a year before he was captured and returned to his ship. On the return voyage he gives an account of Madagascar. He also gives a lively view of the rough and tumble day to day life on board the ship and of the cruelties of some captains.
With an 1801 owner's inscription on a flyleaf. A couple sheets were under-inked on one side, but remain easily legible. With a small puncture hole through the first few leaves and occasional minor browning or foxing, but still in very good condition and only slightly trimmed. A very intimate view of a teenager's life and adventures sailing to Arabia and India. ESTC T139719 (8 copies); Mendelssohn I, 765; not in Blackmer; Gay, Bibl. de l'Afrique et l'Arabie.
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Related Subjects:

Africa  >  Cartography & Exploration | East & Southern Africa
Asia  >  Cartography & Exploration | Central & West Asia | India & Sri Lanka
Cartography & exploration  >  Africa | Asia | Middle East & Islamic World
Middle east & islamic world  >  Arabian Peninsula & Gulf States