Bligh, Lieutenant William.

First edition, presentation, copy inscribed by the author to George Keate, 4to (297 x 235mm.), engraved portrait frontispiece, 7 engraved plates and charts, some folding, extra illustrated with 2 plates relating to breadfruit (one taken from Cook's first voyage), Keate's poem "To Captain Bligh" bound in, early nineteenth-century straight-grained red morocco gilt by W. Scott, covers with quintuple gilt fillet and foliate borders, gilt edges, title and portrait somewhat spotted

George Keate, presentation inscription from Captain Bligh, sale, Thomas King, 23 June 1800, lot 416; Robert Samuel Turner, manuscript note loosely inserted concerning extra plates and binding, sale in these rooms, 18 June 1888, lot 485, James Bain; 5th Earl of Rosebery, armorial bookplate, purchased from Bain for £16; Barnbougle Castle catalogue, inkstamp

Hill, p.27; Sabin 5910

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A fine association copy with wide margins. George Keate (1729-1797) was a noted writer and painter, and author of An Account of the Pelew Islands (1788). On Bligh's return to England in 1793 from a second trip transporting breadfruit to the West Indies, Keate was moved to write a poem to Bligh, which he had printed and inserted into this copy. the poem is of the utmost rarity, with estc recording two copies only, and none in the British Isles.