Bonhams 1793 : ANSON (GEORGE) A Voyage Round the World, in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV

A Voyage Round the World, in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV, first edition, 42 engraved folding plates, maps and charts, list of subscribers, offsetting, some tears without loss to large folding maps, some plate edges frayed, bookplate of Francis Pym, contemporary calf, joints split [Hill 1817], 4to, John and Paul Knapton, for the Author, 1748

Sold for £1,140 inc. premium

Footnotes

The first edition of the official account of Anson's circumnavigation of the world, which has "long occupied a distinguished position as a masterpiece of descriptive travel" (Hill). The expedition was undertaken to attack Spanish possessions in South America at the outbreak of war between Britian and Spain in 1739. During the mission six of Anson's fleet were sunk and approximately one thousand crew were lost to scurvy. Despite such setbacks Anson and his fleet succeeded in thwarting enemy activities in the Pacific and sucessfully captured the Manila galleon.

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts

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