A Voyage Round the World in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV
Year: 1748
Price: $900.00
Publisher: John and Paul Knapton
Place: London
Description:
[24]+548 pages with three folding engraved maps present, southern part of South America; part of the Pacific Ocean and the track of the Centurion round the world. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 1/2") bound in full leather with five raised spine bands with red label to spine in gilt lettering with decorative blind-stamped ruled edges. Compiled from papers and other materials of the Right Honourable George Lord Anson, and published under his direction, by Richard Walter, M.A. Chaplain of his Majesty's Ship the Centurion, in that expedition. (Hill I, pp 317-138). Third edition.
"This is the official account of Anson's voyage. England, at war with Spain in 1739, equipped eight ships under the command of George Anson to harass the Spaniards on the western coast of South America, for the purpose of cutting off Spanish supplies of wealth from the Pacific area. Lord Anson, who was a friend and patron of Benjamin Robins, after returning from the voyage around the world in the Centurion, appears to have entrusted to Robins, for revision, the account of the voyage which had been compiled from the journals by his chaplain, Richard Walter. It is probable that Robins revised and edited the work, wrote an introduction, and added dissertations." (Hill). Perhaps the most popular account of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century. Anson's account of harrying the Spanish of South America, and the taking of the Manilla galleon with treasure with a contemporary value of $800,000, and his circumnavigation has long enjoyed a distinguished place as a masterpiece in descriptive travel.
Condition:
Some small closed tears at the edges of the maps. Rebound in tooled leather with raised bands. Over all a very good to fine copy.
