You're bidding on an antique scrapbook compilation for the HMS Jersey prison ship. This is an estate sale find. It includes a couple books; an original 1908 Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument program; many engravings; a letter from 1783, requesting a release for a prisoner, that looks original; and many old newspaper clippings. As can be seen, the covers are missing and there is a split, but all pages are present and attached. The first 80 pages are a facsimile of a book called The Old Jersey Captive. Then there's Captain Dring's Recollections of The Jersey Prison Ship. There is a signature by editor Henry B. Dawson, as seen below, that could be an original, but I'm not sure. There is an 1865 letter from prisoner Captain Robert Palmer, pasted in the book, that looks to be a facsimile with a translation. However, the 1783 letter from John Merryman to Jeremiah T. Chase of Annapolis looks to be original. Here is my translation of the letter: Baltimore, 23rd January, 1783. Dear Sir, I am under the disagreeable necessity to beg your assistance in procuring for the bearer N. Nicholas Gorsuch to go into New York. As his brother Richard Gorsuch is there in the prison ship. Where a contagious disorder carries off great numbers. This young man is a nephew of mine and if it is in your power to be instrumental in his discharge from a place of such great danger. It will confer a great obligation. John Merryman The letter is addressed to Jeremiah T. Chase, Esq. in Annapolis.