- 480
Flinders, Matthew
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Flinders, Matthew
- A Voyage to Terra Australis; undertaken for the purpose of completing the discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803. London: W. Bulmer and Co., 1814
- paper
FIRST EDITION, one of 150 special copies, large paper Imperial issue, 3 volumes, including folio atlas: 2 volumes text, 4to (372 x 275mm.), (vol.1) [vi], iii-x, [x], cciv, 270pp.; (vol.2) [iv], 614pp., half-titles, 9 engraved views; atlas, folio (490 x 387mm.), 16 engraved folding charts and 12 plates of coastal views and botanical subjects, together 3 volumes, original blue paper boards, uncut, rebacked retaining the original printed labels, some spotting and offsetting to plates and charts
One of the monumental works of Australian discovery and exploration, documenting the first circumnavigation of Australia. Captain Matthew Flinders's (1774-1814) voyage in the Investigator showed that New South Wales and New Holland were parts of the same continent, and that there was no obvious waterway leading into the interior. "Such is the historical importance of this monumental work that no general collection of Australian books could be considered complete without it" (Wantrup).
The first part of the work is a history of Australian discovery, including an account of Flinders's expedition with Bass in which Tasmania was circumnavigated for the first time, and of his experiences on Bligh's second expedition in 1792. The remainder comprises a narrative of the voyage, sailing directions for the coasts explored, descriptions of areas visited, particulars of geology, botany, fauna, also of Aborigines encountered. The first proposals to establish a colony on the south coast and a new penal settlement on the east coast were based on Flinders's descriptions of the country.
The expedition, instigated and patronised by Sir Joseph Banks, met with much misfortune (including a six and a half-year imprisonment of Flinders by the French on Mauritius) and Flinders's complete account was eventually published only a day before his death. The naturalist Robert Brown had accompanied Flinders on the expedition, together with the natural history artist Ferdinand Bauer who drew the ten botanical plates in the atlas, and William Westall who drew the topographical views.
One of the monumental works of Australian discovery and exploration, documenting the first circumnavigation of Australia. Captain Matthew Flinders's (1774-1814) voyage in the Investigator showed that New South Wales and New Holland were parts of the same continent, and that there was no obvious waterway leading into the interior. "Such is the historical importance of this monumental work that no general collection of Australian books could be considered complete without it" (Wantrup).
The first part of the work is a history of Australian discovery, including an account of Flinders's expedition with Bass in which Tasmania was circumnavigated for the first time, and of his experiences on Bligh's second expedition in 1792. The remainder comprises a narrative of the voyage, sailing directions for the coasts explored, descriptions of areas visited, particulars of geology, botany, fauna, also of Aborigines encountered. The first proposals to establish a colony on the south coast and a new penal settlement on the east coast were based on Flinders's descriptions of the country.
The expedition, instigated and patronised by Sir Joseph Banks, met with much misfortune (including a six and a half-year imprisonment of Flinders by the French on Mauritius) and Flinders's complete account was eventually published only a day before his death. The naturalist Robert Brown had accompanied Flinders on the expedition, together with the natural history artist Ferdinand Bauer who drew the ten botanical plates in the atlas, and William Westall who drew the topographical views.
Literature
Ferguson 576; Nissen ZBI 637; Tooley, Mapping of Australia, pp.77-79; Wantrup 67a
Condition
A very good copy
"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."
"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."