Bidspirit auction | Cheever's Life in the Sandwich

Cheever's Life in the Sandwich Islands - Volume with 6 Wood Engravings + Map (First Printed View of Surfing) - This first edition volume with map and 6 wood engravings is Henry Theodore Cheever's Life in the Sandwich Islands: or, The Heart of the Pacific, as It Was and Is . The work was published in New York and Cincinnati in 1851 by A.S. Barnes and H.W. Derby & Co. The volume features a map and 6 wood engraved plates including frontispiece and added title with 2 wood-engravings in the text, 355 pages in all. The volume is bound in black publisher's cloth with gilt vignette to front cover, spine lettered in gilt. Publisher's ads are on the front papers. This is a scarce and important account of Hawaii from the American Congregational Minister, Henry T. Cheever (1814-1897). Hill notes that ”much interesting data is included on the history and native culture of the islands. Cheever predicted eventual American rule of the islands because fifty missionary families had settled there and owned extensive lands.” The book depicts likely the first illustration of surfing published in a book. (Forbes 1803; Hill p.51) Ownership inscription of E. M. Brewster, 1880 Paper Size: ~ 5 1/4” by 7 3/8” Paper Type or Special Features: Volume with 6 Wood Engravings + Map (First Printed View of Surfing)