Anson, George

A Voyage round the World, in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV by George Anson, Esq., commander in chief of a squadron of His Majesty's ships, sent upon an expedition to the South-Seas.  Compiled from papers and other materials of the Right Honourable George Lord Anson ... by Richard Walter ... chaplain of His Majesty's Ship the Centurion, in that expedition.  London: Printed for the author, by John and Paul Knapton, 1748



4to (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 203 mm).  42 engraved plates of maps and views, double or triple folding, list of subscribers; title edge-stained from binding, small wormtrack in lower margin of plate 35, two worm punctures in lower margin of initial quires and plates without loss, small tear in lower margin of page 243, some offsetting from text onto plate versos not affecting images.  Antique three-quarter calf, red edges.

Cox I:49; Hill I:317-318; Sabin 1625

First edition, "the most popular book of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century" (Hill).

In 1739 during England's war with Spain, Anson was sent to cut off Spanish supplies from the Pacific. He continued to take prizes in the Pacific during the following years. This is the official account of Anson's voyage which was compiled by Anson's friend Benjamin Robins based on journals kept by the ship's chaplain Richard Walter.

There were four editions issued in the first year of publication, clearly distinguished on the title pages.