Lot 202: Voyages made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North West Coast of America. To which

Voyages made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North West Coast of America. To which are prefixed, an Introductory Narrative of a Voyage performed in 1786, from Bengal, in the Ship Nootka; 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

viii, [12], xcv, [1], 372, [108] pp. With stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait & 27 copper-engraved maps, plates, views, plans, sketches, etc. (some folding; some in stipple or aquatint). (4to) 10 3/4 x8 1/2 ; period full diced calf, rebacked with modern gilt-tooled morocco, raised spine bands. First Edition.

Meares' own account of his two fur-trading voyages to the Northwest Coast, which were 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." Lada-Mocarski declares this work "One of the early and fundamental books on the Northwest Coast of America in general and on Alaska in partidular." Hill describes it thus: "This important narrative gives a very full account of the Indian nations of Northwest America, describing their villages, languages, manners, and customs. It also contains a separate account of the voyage of the Iphegenia, commanded by Captain William Douglas, which visited the Sandwich Islands and Nootka Sound." Howes adds that it's the "Pioneer English voyage to this coast, supplying the chief basis to British claims to Oregon. Spanish pretensions to territory beyond California were relinquished in the treaty following England's remonstrance over the seizure of Meare's ships, anchored off Nootka," which conflict became known as the "Nootka Controversy." In this copy, all the plates except for the frontispiece portrait have been bound after the text; the scarce Philippine plate, not issued with all copies, which usually faces p.17, is present. Graff 2734; Forbes 201; Hill Pacific Voyages pp.195-6; Howes M469; Sabin 47260; Smith 6690; Streeter 3491; Wickersham 6595.

1790

Moderate darkening and foxing with occasional minor soiling, faint offset to title from the frontispiece; large chart of the Northern Pafic with a few repaired tears, four of the other folding charts and plates backed with modern paper, resolving a few tears and chips, a few instances of contemporary interlinear pencil notes and emendations, else very good.

Place: London
Publisher: Logographic Press