Burney, James | The most significant general history of early discoveries in the South Seas

Burney, James

A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. London: Printed by Luke Hansard for G. and W. Nicol., [and others], 1803–1817

5 vols., 4to (293 x 232 mm). 41 mostly folding engraved or woodcut charts, plates and illustrations; scattered foxing, offsetting to many plates, occasional contemporary marginalia, small red stamp to end of each volume. Nineteenth-century black calf over blue marbled boards, gilt spines; rebacked, retaining much of the original spines, somewhat rubbed, a few chips, losses, and creases to spines.

First edition. Burney served with Cook on his Second and Third Voyages. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and in 1773, and subsequent to the deaths of Cook and Clerke, returned home in command of the Discovery. The present work is "the most significant general history of early discoveries in the South Seas, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them, by Captain Burney, who was a great authority on the subject" (Hill).

Includes voyages to the Moluccas by Loyasa and Saavedra; the Philippines by Legazpi, Peche and Gali; Japan by Mahu and Cordes; and many other expeditions in the western Pacific, by Quiros, Dampier &c. The maps and charts include the Philippines, Moluccas, Celebes, New Guinea, China and Japan.

REFERENCES:

Hill (1974) p.40; Sabin 9387