Beschreibung:

BURNEY, James, Capt. (1750-1821). A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean . London: Printed by Luke Hansard for G. Nicol et al, 1803-1817.
BURNEY, James, Capt. (1750-1821). A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean . London: Printed by Luke Hansard for G. Nicol et al, 1803-1817. 5 volumes, 4 o (289 x 236 mm). 28 engraved maps (17 folding) and 13 engraved plates (one folding) with 6 woodcuts in text. Late 19th-century mottled half calf, marbled boards (some light rubbing to joints). Provenance: Devon & Exeter Institution (inkstamps on some titles, plate versos and text leaves in margins). FIRST EDITION OF "THE MOST IMPORTANT GENERAL HISTORY OF EARLY SOUTH SEA DISCOVERIES." Written by a member of Cook's crew aboard the Resolution and Discovery , Burney's monumental work collects material from nearly all of the available sources and much of the material relating to the early exploration of California would be lost were it not for Burney's research. Dedicated to Sir Joseph Banks, Burney's history extends from the earliest Pacific voyages through the period just prior to Cook's first voyage. "A masterly digest of the voyages in the South Sea, displaying a rare union of nautical science and literary research" (the Quarterly Review , quoted in Hill). Some of the plates are copied from earlier sources, including Shouten, Ullua, Tasman and the Miroir Oost & West Indical . Hill 221; Sabin 9387. (5)