JOHANN REINHOLD FORSTER (1729-1798)
JOHANN REINHOLD FORSTER (1729-1798) Observations made during a Voyage round the World, on physical geography, natural history and ethic philosophy. London: G. Robinson, 1778. 4° (282 x 218mm). Folding engraved map, large folding letterpress comparative table of South Sea languages, with subscribers' list bound at rear. (Title lightly spotted, as usual, very occasional light marginal spotting, folding map spotted with offset to facing pages, paper fault to upper edge of S, Zz2 and Zz3.) Contemporary tree calf, single gilt rule border to boards, red morocco label to spine, lettered in gilt (sympathetically rebacked). FIRST EDITION; 'VERY SCARCE' (Rosove). Forster sailed as naturalist on board HMS Resolution and his Observations were originally intended to accompany the official account of Cook's second voyage. The account of the voyage itself is therefore short, and the majority of the text relates to the scientific work of the voyage, including the comparative ethnographic observations and findings that Forster made in the South Seas. As part of his ethnographic studies he made detailed notes of the 'human species' giving information on the food, cannibalism, populations, status of women, customs, languages, mythology as well as recording the health and diseases of the islands. The final section 'presents a detailed evaluation of steps taken for the preservation of health on the voyage, notably the suggestions of James Lind on the treatment of scurvy' (Hill). The rare 'Chart Representing the Isles of the South Seas' found here but not present in all copies is based on a sketch drawn for Capt. Cook by Tupaia, a Tahitian priest and navigator. Hill 628; Beddie 1262; Kroepelien 456; Hocken, p.18; Sabin 25140; Rosove 140.
JOHANN REINHOLD FORSTER (1729-1798)
JOHANN REINHOLD FORSTER (1729-1798) Observations made during a Voyage round the World, on physical geography, natural history and ethic philosophy. London: G. Robinson, 1778. 4° (282 x 218mm). Folding engraved map, large folding letterpress comparative table of South Sea languages, with subscribers' list bound at rear. (Title lightly spotted, as usual, very occasional light marginal spotting, folding map spotted with offset to facing pages, paper fault to upper edge of S, Zz2 and Zz3.) Contemporary tree calf, single gilt rule border to boards, red morocco label to spine, lettered in gilt (sympathetically rebacked). FIRST EDITION; 'VERY SCARCE' (Rosove). Forster sailed as naturalist on board HMS Resolution and his Observations were originally intended to accompany the official account of Cook's second voyage. The account of the voyage itself is therefore short, and the majority of the text relates to the scientific work of the voyage, including the comparative ethnographic observations and findings that Forster made in the South Seas. As part of his ethnographic studies he made detailed notes of the 'human species' giving information on the food, cannibalism, populations, status of women, customs, languages, mythology as well as recording the health and diseases of the islands. The final section 'presents a detailed evaluation of steps taken for the preservation of health on the voyage, notably the suggestions of James Lind on the treatment of scurvy' (Hill). The rare 'Chart Representing the Isles of the South Seas' found here but not present in all copies is based on a sketch drawn for Capt. Cook by Tupaia, a Tahitian priest and navigator. Hill 628; Beddie 1262; Kroepelien 456; Hocken, p.18; Sabin 25140; Rosove 140.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
