Beschreibung:

Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait, to Co-operate with the Polar Expeditions: Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom Under the Command of Captain F.W. Beechey, R.N. in the Years 1825, 26, 27, 28 Author: Beechey, Frederick W. Place Published: London Publisher: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley Date Published: 1831 Description: 2 volumes. [iii]-xxi, [3], 392; [iii]-vii, [1], 393-742 pp. Errata slip tipped into Vol. I after Directions to the Binder leaf. Illustrated with 23 engravings and lithographs and 3 maps and charts (2 folding). (4to) 27.3x21 cm (10¾x8¼"), re-backed diced calf with earlier gilt-tooled spine strips laid down, morocco lettering pieces, all edges marbled, gilt-rolled dentelles, marbled endpapers. First Edition. Beechey's narrative accounts an extensive exploration of the coast from Alaska to California, including important descriptions of Alaskan Eskimos, Monterey, San Francisco and several Pacific islands, including Hawaii. There were 3 printings of Beechey's Narrative in 1831; the first edition was in 2 quarto volumes, later reprinted in octavo. "One of the most valuable of modern voyages" (Hill). Arctic Bib. 1228; Cowan p14; Hill 93. Zamorano 80 #4. Two bookplates in each volume on rear pastedown. Condition: Chip to spine panel of Vol. II at heel, some scuffing and abrasions to calf, hints of foxing (a bit more pronounced on plates); minor stubtears or ill-creasing to maps; very good. Item#: 353149a Headline: Beechey's Pacific Voyage, 1st edition, quarto