Broughton, William Robert.

Estimate

20,000 - 25,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

A voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, in which the coast of Asia... the Island of Insu... the north, south and east coasts of Japan, the Lieuchieux and the adjacent isles, as well as the coast of Corea, have been examined and surveyed. Performed in His Majesty's sloop Providence, and her tender, in the years 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798. London: Printed for T. Cadell, and W. Davies, 1804

first edition, 4to (286 x 223mm.), 9 engraved maps and plates, many folding, advertisement leaf at end, contemporary half russia, uncut, one map with dampstain, 2 folding maps with small tears, some slight offsetting and marginal soiling, corners slightly rubbed

Provenance

S. Harward's Circulating Library, Cheltenham, early nineteenth-century bookplate; Major Sir Frederick Fermor-Hesketh, 2nd Baron Hesketh (1916-1955), armorial bookplate (sale in these rooms, 15 December 1999, lot 577)

Literature

Sabin 8423; Hill I, p.35; Cordier, Sinica IV, 2945; Wagner p.232

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

a fine uncut copy of a "scarce and exceedingly important work" (Hill).

Broughton was a notable British navigator, who accompanied Vancouver on his 1790 expedition and during that voyage discovered and named the Chatham Islands, about 400 miles east of New Zealand. In 1793 Broughton was made commander of Captain Bligh's old ship, the Providence, and was sent out to America to join Vancouver. Finding that Vancouver had already left Nootka Sound, Broughton sailed south to Monterey, across the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands, and on to Japan. Here he surveyed the coasts of Japan and eastern Asia, despite being shipwrecked off Formosa. The crew were saved and survey work continued. Broughton arrived back in England in 1799.