Stockdale’s sketches, civil and military, of the island of Java: a bibliographical note
John Bastin’s 1985 bibliographical note examines the publication history of John Joseph Stockdale’s 1811 work on Java, situating the text within the immediate aftermath of the British conquest of the island. The author argues that the book’s multiple editions and issues reveal the publisher’s opportunistic rush to capitalize on military news before it officially reached London. Through a detailed examination of paper stocks and page numbering, Bastin clarifies the bibliographical record to distinguish between the various print runs and their historical significance.
Summary
The first edition of Stockdale’s Sketches, civil and military, of the Island of Java was hastily produced in 1811, relying on translations of earlier voyages by Stavorinus and Tombe rather than contemporary field reports (p. 91). Printed by Samuel Gosnell, the initial text was completed before news of the British victory at Meester Cornelis arrived in England, leading to a publication date of November or December 1811 (p. 91). The work was divided into four sections, with the first three drawn from Stavorinus and the fourth from Tombe, reflecting a compilation strategy designed to meet the demand for information on the East Indies (p. 91).
Following the confirmation of the British surrender of Java in August 1811, Stockdale issued a second edition in 1812 to capitalize on the victory, adding a ‘Supplement’ derived from John Barrow’s Voyage to Cochinchina (p. 92). This supplement included a new map of the Strait of Madura and was initially published separately before being bound into the main text (p. 92). The publisher’s advertisements indicate that the decision to expand the book was made before the official news of the capitulation reached London in mid-December 1811, highlighting the speed of commercial publishing relative to military dispatches (p. 92).
Bastin distinguishes between three distinct issues of the second edition based on paper quality, page numbering, and the binding of the ‘Advertisement to the Second Edition’ (p. 93). The first issue of the second edition retains the paper and page numbering of the first edition, while the third issue features corrected page 59 and re-set dedication pages (p. 93). These bibliographical variations allow collectors and historians to identify specific print runs and understand the timeline of the book’s distribution in relation to the flow of news from Java (p. 94).
Key Findings
- The maps within the book bear dates of 24 September 1811 and 5 October 1811, indicating the text was prepared before the British landing in August 1811 (p. 91).
- Stockdale was a controversial publisher known for the Memoirs of Harriette Wilson and the rare poetry of Shelley, suggesting a commercial rather than purely scholarly motivation (p. 94).
- The ‘Supplement’ added to the second edition was printed by Francis Vigurs and published separately in 1812 before being bound into the main volume (p. 92).
- The third issue of the second edition is distinguished by lighter paper and a corrected error on page 59, distinguishing it from the earlier print runs (p. 93).
- News of the British victory at Meester Cornelis did not appear in the London press until 16 and 17 December 1811, yet the book was published earlier (p. 92).
- The book was dedicated to James Amos, whose son Andrew later succeeded Macaulay as a member of the Governor-General’s Council at Calcutta (p. 94).
Conclusion
Bastin’s analysis demonstrates that Stockdale’s Sketches was less a historical record and more a commercial product designed to exploit the public’s appetite for news regarding the Java campaign. By meticulously cataloging the bibliographical differences between the various issues, the author reveals how quickly publishers adapted to military developments, often releasing updated editions before official government gazettes confirmed the outcome of the war.
Context
- This article serves as a vital resource for the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society’s archival collections regarding early 19th-century colonial publications.
- It highlights the role of London publishers in shaping the historical narrative of Southeast Asia during the Napoleonic Wars.