Title page from Walter Raleigh’s Judicious and select essayes and observations…..

One of our new summer acquisitions is this lovely octavo volume of Walter Raleigh’s essays, Judicious and Select Essays and Observations.  A collection of four essays authored by Raleigh, this first edition, first issue volume was the first to bring together all four essays into a single volume.  Two of the essays, “Excellent observations and notes, concerning the Royall navy and sea-service” and “Sir Walter Rawleigh his apologie for his voyage to Guiana,” had been published separately the same year, but the other two, “The first invention of shipping” and “The misery of invasive warre,” were printed for the first time in this collection.  As indicated by the titles, Raleigh’s knowledge of maritime and military activity was central in this set of essays, covering his experience with ships and the Royal Navy as well as a discourse on his voyage to the northeast coast of South America in an attempt to seek the renewed favor of Queen Elizabeth I.  Some historians suspect several of these essays were composed during his long imprisonment in the Tower of London.

The volume itself carries two bookplates documenting previous ownership, the first noting “Ex Libris: Richard Chase Sidney” and the second from the “Scott Library Collection at the Institution of Naval Architects.” Additionally, there is an inscription from John Hunt on the title page.  The engraved portrait of Raleigh is signed by Ro. Vaughn.  Each of the 4 essays has its own separate title page.  Overall, the volume is in good condition for its age, with minimal wear showing on its cover of half-morocco over boards as would be expected.

On its way to cataloging, the book will soon join many others in our growing collection of maritime adventures and tales across the centuries in the Galvin Rare Book Room.  All of the rare book room materials can be searched in the library catalog and viewed during our research open hours.