Blake, George Smith, Commodore

Autograph manuscript with two manuscript coastal maps being volumes 1, 2 and 4 of the naval diary of Commodore George Smith Blake, ca. 1828 to 1852; volumes 1 and 2 uniformly  bound in tan full calf, lined tooled border blocked in blind with rectangular stamp, each secured with metal clasp, manuscript paper spine label (defective), extremities rubbed, minor losses to spines; volume 4 bound in diced russia, paneled gilt with double fillet, smooth spine ruled in gilt, back strip detached, joints intact.

Decades on the sea. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on 5 March 1802, Blake receive his first warrant as Midshipman in the United States Navy on 1 January 1818 and thus his career began. His diaries herewith begin on 1 January 1828 when he was attached to the schooner Grampus and served in the West India Squadron (volume 1). In 1830 he was ordered to the Mediterranean and served on that station in the ship Warren and the frigate Java (volume 2). Volume 4 begins with a copy of Blake's order of 19 May 1849 to report to Commodore C.W. Morgan, at Norfolk, as captain of Fleet, Mediterranean Squadron. Two fine manuscript  coastal maps of Italy are included in the diary. In September 1849, Blake was ordered by Commodore Morgan to command the flagship Independence, in addition to his duty as Captain of Fleet. The fourth volume ends with Blake back in the United States and ready to report to the Bureau of Construction and Equipments. Blake's three volumes provide detailed observations on his extensive travels over more than two decades.