Item #5857 Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide. R. H. Cook.
Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.
Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.
Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.
Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.
Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.

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Historical Notes of the Island of Nantucket and Tourist’s Guide.

Nantucket, Mass., 1871. 12mo (5.75” x 4”), stiff printed wrappers, illustrated ad on back wrapper. [3], 23 pp., [9] pp. of ads. Early pencil inscription on front paste-down reading, “Roxey J. Hurlburt, Shelburn, Vermont. Bought at the Atheneum Nantucket—Sept. the 7th, 1874.”.

A scarce Nantucket guide-book with notes on events ranging from 1602 to 1871, apparently published for promotional purposes by Ocean House, a prominent inn on the Island. The first section provides information on the town of Nantucket, Siaconset, Sankoty Head, Sesacacha Pond, South Shore, and the Fishing Banks. This is followed by a series of “Extracts from the Press” extolling the virtues of the Ocean House—an engraved image of which graces the back wrapper. The historical notes cover land transactions, the establishment of businesses, schools, churches, whaling news, white and Indian population statistics, fires, a visit from King Philip in 1665, and so forth. It is recorded that the Indian population on Nantucket upon its discovery in 1602 was 1500; by 1659, it had dropped to around 700. What’s more, in 1659 “The island was deeded by Thomas Mayhew, to the ten original purchasers, for the sum of thirty pounds and two beavers hats…” Appearing on the last few pages are ads for steamboats, boarding houses, fishing parties, liveries, bathing rooms, and so forth. Also included is an ad for the Nantucket Antheaeum, a “Museum of Rare Curiosities,” where this guide-book was purchased by the original owner, as noted on the front paste-down.

CONDITION: Good, spine paper partially perished, binding nevertheless sound, contents clean throughout.

Item #5857

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