4722

1853

"DESCRIPTION OF THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD, THE NEW CLIPPER GREAT REPUBLIC ..."

An extremely rare first and only edition pamphlet describing one of the greatest ships ever built, with six lithographed folding plates, two of which fold out to more than three feet in length. Fully titled Description of the Largest Ship in the World, The New Clipper Great Republic, of Boston. Designed, Built and Owned by Donald McKay, And Commanded by Capt. L. McKay. With Illustrated Designs of Her Construction. "Written by a Sailor" Duncan McLean. Boston: Eastburn's Press, 1853. Inscribed on p. 1 "To David D. Nickerson, Esquire In recognition of his good efforts to perpetuate the name and fame of Donald McKay- Appreciatively Richard I. McKay". Foldouts printed on tissue-like paper. Octavo volume with original printed green wrappers. 24pp. Later clamshell slipcase.
Slipcase 10.5" x 6.5".
Condition: Generally a fine copy, minor marks along spine, minor staining to the cover, minor foxing and staining to the interior pages, the foldouts with no breaks at any of the folds.

The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance:
    Ten Pound Island Book Co., Gloucester, Massachusetts, 2004.
    The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

    Notes:
    Great Republic was considered McKay's masterpiece and was the largest merchant sailing ship ever constructed in the United States. Prior to her maiden voyage, while loading cargo in New York bound for Liverpool, a shore-side fire ignited the ship's newly tarred rigging and she burned to the waterline. A.A. Low & Brother purchased the hulk and reconfigured her to a more manageable size and cut down her rig. She sailed on the Atlantic run from New York to Liverpool, was chartered by the French to carry troops to the Crimea, and in 1856 was placed on the New York to San Francisco run. Her best time to San Francisco was 92 days. She often posted runs of 400 miles per day and set the record from New York to the equator in 15 days, 19 hours. During the Civil War she served as a troop transport and made two more voyages to San Francisco between 1862 and 1865. She was sold to Nova Scotia interests in 1865 and to Liverpool owners in 1869, who renamed her Denmark. She began leaking and was abandoned off Bermuda on March 2, 1872, where she sank three days later.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of the Conditions of Sale. If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Our physical address is 1483 Route 6A, East Dennis, MA. Pick up of smaller items at our Mystic, CT location is also available with advance notice.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide shipping quotes until the invoice had been paid in full.
In house shipping is offered exclusively though UPS. All items are shipped with UPS insurance (max. $50,000). UPS insurance is billed at $2.70 for the first $100 and at $0.90 per hundred afterwards. Eldred's charges a minium $15 handling fee per package plus actual UPS shipping charges.
COLLECTION OF PURCHASES: Delivery or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction for all purchases. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the end of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $15/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

March 1, 2023 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000