[A COMPLETE GUIDE TO OTTOMAN NAVIGATORS IN THE 19TH CENTURY] Rehnümâ-yi sefâin. [i.e. Guide to vessels]

AKSARAYLI MEHMED BEY, (19th century), Matbaa-yi Ebüzziya of Galata, Kostantiniyye [Constantinople - Istanbul], [AH 1300] = 1883.

Contemporary black Ottoman cloth, title gilt on spine "Rehnümâ-yi Sefâîn". Original pictorial wrappers saved inside. Small 4to. (25 x 19 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). 332, [1] p., 6 unnumbered b/w plates, and maps (some of folded and color), 1 rotating volvelle.

Slight foxing on some page bottoms and hinges, fading on covers, two tapes on the verso of the hinge of a folded plate. Overall a very good and complete copy.

First and only edition of this rare guide to vessels for the Ottoman mariners including longitude and latitude calculations, instructions to use of compass, binnacle, nautical charts and star catalogues and constellations of particular years (like 1873, 1874, etc.), overall a fine complete guide for a ship en route.

The book has attractive b/w and color lithograph plates of the directions and use of binnacle, navigation instructions, a map of world geomagnetism, ocean currents, and strong winds throughout the world in two separate maps, a folded plate of obliquity table, and a rotating volvelle pinned to the bottom of the last page with its descriptive text.

Özege 16704.; OCLC 903812399, 949519358.