[DANA, Richard Henry, Jr. (1815-1882).] Two Years Before the Mast. A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea. New York: Harper 1840.

First edition of the author's first book, first printing. A fine copy, with family provenance dating from the month of publication. Immediately upon publication in September of 1840, Dana’s work became highly popular. "Written in clear and concise prose, it appealed to a broad spectrum of readers. Dana's exotic trip to California, which was virtually unknown to Americans at the time, became the best contemporary description of the territory the United States seized just a few years later. Many people, notably Herman Melville, celebrated his account of his life as a sailor and the rigors of voyaging around Cape Horn" (Narratives of Personal Experience). It also happens to contain "the best account of the early hide trade of California" (Six Score). First printing with the dot over the "i" in the word "in" in the copyright notice and with the running head on p. 9 unbroken. This is the first state of BAL's binding b (no priority between a and b bindings, the first state lists fewer titles on the lower cover). Adams Herd 642; BAL 4434; Cowan (II), p. 62; Howes D-49; Best of the West 41; Reese, Narratives of Personal Experience 41; Six Score: The 120 Best Books on the Range Cattle Industry 28; Zamorano Eighty 26.

12mo. Original printed tan muslin (a little soiled, endpapers foxed, slight wear at extremities. Custom quarter morocco slipcase. Provenance: Charles Blanchard Dana, 1816-1906, distant cousin and contemporary of the author, namesake of the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Mass. (ownership signature dated "Sept. 25th 1840" and stamped ex libris on front free endpaper).