viii, [12], xcv, [1], 372, [108] pp. With 27 copper-engraved maps, plates, views, plans, sketches, etc. (some folding; some in stipple or aquatint). (4to) 11¼x9, modern half red morocco & cloth, spine tooled & lettered in gilt, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. First Edition.
Meares' own account of his two fur-trading voyages to the Northwest Coast, which were to exert profound influence on sovereignty of the region., in the words of David Forbes, the book was "central to British claims to the Northwest Territory and led to the convention by which Spain's claim was finally disallowed." Lada-Mocarski declares this work "One of the early and fundamental books on the Northwest Coast of America in general and on Alaska in particular." Hill describes it thus: "This important narrative gives a very full account of the Indian nations of Northwest America, describing their villages, languages, manners, and customs. It also contains a separate account of the voyage of the Iphegenia, commanded by Captain William Douglas, which visited the Sandwich Islands and Nootka Sound." Howes adds that it's the "Pioneer English voyage to this coast, supplying the chief basis to British claims to Oregon. Spanish pretensions to territory beyond California were relinquished in the treaty following England's remonstrance over the seizure of Meare's ships, anchored off Nootka," which conflict became known as the "Nootka Controversy." The Philippine plate, not issued with all copies, which usually faces p.17, is not present. Graff 2734; Forbes 201; Hill 1126; Howes M469; Sabin 47260; Smith 6690; Streeter 3491; Wickersham 6595.
Condition:
Foxing and offset to a number of maps and plates, and to the adjacent pages, title-page and frontispiece likely cleaned when rebound; large chart of Pacific with tape repairs on recto and verso, and few short unrepaired tears; large chart of Northwest Coast of America with 3" tear at center with slight loss; very good, finely bound.