Notes—(i) Although dated 1836, this book was actually published in December, 1835.
(ii) Copies are more frequently met with in maroon cloth, blocked in gold and lettered on spine Marryats Pirate and the Three Cutters. This cloth binding (of which two styles at least are extant) is probably not so early in date as the paper-board binding described above. Definite information is impossible to obtain, but the evidence of similar illustrated books of the period (e.g., Lytton's Pilgrims of the Rhine) supports the theory here laid down.
(iii) A large paper edition, imperial 8vo (11 × 7½), was issued simultaneously, with plates printed on India paper and bound in green paper boards, half dark-green figured cloth, cream paper label, the last being lettered in gold: The Pirate by Captn. Marryat. White end-papers. Copies of the large paper edition also exist in maroon cloth, blocked in gold and blind and lettered on the spine: Marryats Pirate and the Three Cutters. As with the ordinary edition, these full cloth copies are of later issue than those in boards.
(iv) In all Longman's first editions the plates bear the following legend: 'Published Decr. 1, 1835 for the proprietor by Longman and Co., Paternoster Row.' The book was, however, never issued with a printed title of that year. That the actual plates were published prior to the Longman book edition is proved by the fact that I have myself a set, both before and after “letters,” bearing the legend: 'London. Published Octr. 1835 for the proprietor by Charles Tilt, 86 Fleet Street.' In every other respect, even down to the page references, the wording on these early dated plates is identical with that used for Longman's book edition.
(v) A curious feature of this book's publishing history is its issue in parts, nine years after its appearance in book form. In 1845 there appeared over the imprint A. Fullarton and Co., 106 Newgate Street, London; 67 Abbey street, Dublin; Steads Place, Leith Walk, and 5 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, fifteen shilling parts (6 × 9½), bound in buff paper wrappers printed in red-brown, and illustrated with steel engravings after Clarkson Stanfield. These engravings are twenty in number and identical with those in the first book edition, except that the Longmans imprint has been substituted on the plates by that of Fullarton, and the printer's name and the date of issue have been expunged. The distribution of plates among the fifteen parts is as follows: Parts I. IV. VI. VIII. X. contain two plates each; Parts II. III. V. VII. IX. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. and XV. contain one plate each. Publishers' advertisements occupy outside back wrappers. No date appears on the parts, but a title-page (with other preliminary matter) enclosed in Part XV. is dated MDCCCXLV.
The text of the book was clearly reset for this part issue, so there can be no question of a refurbishing of Longman sheets. It may be noted that, according to the wrappers, the plates were “engraved under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Heath.” (This person was responsible for the principal Books of Beauty, Keepsakes, and similar gift publications issued in large numbers toward Christmas time between 1840 and 1850 and distinguished by their beautiful steel engravings.)
There being no indication that the plates were re-engraved for the Fullarton edition, it may be presumed either that Heath superintended their original production in 1835 but had not at that time the “selling name” that by 1845 was his, or that Fullarton, anxious to give to their reissue something of novelty, paid Heath for a supervisory activity of a nominal kind in order to have the use of his name on their wrappers.
1836
JAPHET IN SEARCH OF A FATHER. By the author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful, etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1836. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4⅞ × 7⅞).
Vol. I. pp. viii + 304. Advertisement of other works by same author occupies verso of half-title.