The rare First American Edition, and the first publication of Nathaniel Bowditch, introducing him to the world that would soon make his name synonymous with navigation. While the title page does not state Bowditch's name except to say that the volume was added to, revised and corrected by "a Skilful Mathematician and Navigator," and then later the Preface names Nathaniel Bowditch and acknowledges his outstanding contributions, one of which is his chapter on a "New Method of Working a Lunar Observation." It was not until the third American edition published in 1802, that his name appeared as the author of the book. Illustrated bookplate from the Library of Saul Moskowitz.