GEORGE SHELVOCKE (b.1681) A Voyage Round the World by Way of the great South Sea: Performed in a private Expedition during the War, which broke out with Spain in the year 1718. London: W. Innys and J. Richardson M. & T. Longman, 1757. 8° (201 x 127mm). Double-page map and 4 engraved plates, 2 folding, engraved title-vignette, woodcut head- and tail-pieces. Contemporary sprinkled calf, boards with borders of double blind rules, spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece in one (lightly rubbed, skilfully rebacked). SECOND AND BEST EDITION of this controversial voyage which became inspiration for Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner . This privately-funded privateering voyage sought to duplicate the success of Woodes Rogers' highly profitable voyage of 1708-1711. Shelvocke commanded the Speedwell and John Clipperton the Success on raids against Spanish shipping on the west coast of South America. Shelvocke soon slipped away to conduct his own raids in Peru and to sail up the coast to Cabo San Lucas where he remained for some months and wrote one of the earliest descriptions of the Indians of Baja California. He also was one of the first to suggest the possibility of finding gold in California. Controversies surrounding the voyage began with his unjustified attack on a Portuguese merchantman, desertions and mutiny. It was while rounding Cape Horn that one of his crew shot an albatross, reported here and later read by William Wordsworth who surely relayed it to Coleridge. After a quick crossing of the Pacific to Guam and Canton where Speedwell was sold, Shelvocke seems to have awarded himself more than double his share of the plunder. His return to England brought charges of piracy and embezzlement, and the first publication of his account in 1726 brought charges of libel from his shipmate William Betagh who duly published his own account and rebuttal in 1728. It was Shelvocke's son, George, who re-edited and extensively corrected the first edition for this edition in an effort to vindicate his father. Hill 1558; Sabin 80159.
GEORGE SHELVOCKE (b.1681) A Voyage Round the World by Way of the great South Sea: Performed in a private Expedition during the War, which broke out with Spain in the year 1718. London: W. Innys and J. Richardson M. & T. Longman, 1757. 8° (201 x 127mm). Double-page map and 4 engraved plates, 2 folding, engraved title-vignette, woodcut head- and tail-pieces. Contemporary sprinkled calf, boards with borders of double blind rules, spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece in one (lightly rubbed, skilfully rebacked). SECOND AND BEST EDITION of this controversial voyage which became inspiration for Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner . This privately-funded privateering voyage sought to duplicate the success of Woodes Rogers' highly profitable voyage of 1708-1711. Shelvocke commanded the Speedwell and John Clipperton the Success on raids against Spanish shipping on the west coast of South America. Shelvocke soon slipped away to conduct his own raids in Peru and to sail up the coast to Cabo San Lucas where he remained for some months and wrote one of the earliest descriptions of the Indians of Baja California. He also was one of the first to suggest the possibility of finding gold in California. Controversies surrounding the voyage began with his unjustified attack on a Portuguese merchantman, desertions and mutiny. It was while rounding Cape Horn that one of his crew shot an albatross, reported here and later read by William Wordsworth who surely relayed it to Coleridge. After a quick crossing of the Pacific to Guam and Canton where Speedwell was sold, Shelvocke seems to have awarded himself more than double his share of the plunder. His return to England brought charges of piracy and embezzlement, and the first publication of his account in 1726 brought charges of libel from his shipmate William Betagh who duly published his own account and rebuttal in 1728. It was Shelvocke's son, George, who re-edited and extensively corrected the first edition for this edition in an effort to vindicate his father. Hill 1558; Sabin 80159.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
