Beschreibung:

Title: Voyages Made in the Years 1788 and 1789, From China to the N. W. Coast of America: With an Introductory Narrative of a Voyage Performed in 1786, From Bengal, in the Ship Nootka. To Which are Annexed, Observations on the Probable Existence of a North West Passage. And Some Account of the Trade Between the North West Coast of America and China; and the Latter Country and Great Britain Author: Meares, John Place: London Publisher: Logographic Press Date: 1791 Description: 2 vols. (iii)-xii, lxxii, 363; [ii], 332, [63] pp. 5 engraved plates (4 folding); 6 (of 9) folding maps & plans. (8vo) later half calf and marbled boards, spines gilt, morocco labels. Second Edition [i.e., First Octavo Edition]. Octavo edition of Meares' Voyages, published one year after the quarto first edition. Meares' account of his two fur-trading voyages to the Northwest Coast was to exert profound influence on sovereignty of the region; in the words of David Forbes, the book was "central to British claims to the Northwest Territory and led to the convention by which Spain's claim was finally disallowed." Forbes 212; Hill 1127; Howes M469; Sabin 47261. Lot Amendments Condition: Some extremity wear, head of spine chipped on Volume 1, half titles not retained when rebound; frontispiece portrait backed with linen, old repairs on verso of one folding plate, lacking 3 maps/plans; some light foxing; very good. Item number: 212161