PBA Galleries

[6], 288 pp. With 4 hand-colored aquatint plates by W.H. Dwarris; stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Capt. Murray Maxwell, R.N. (8vo) 8¼x5, later half calf & paste-paper boards, spine gilt. First Edition.

Voyage carrying a diplomatic mission to Peking in 1816-17, which met failure when "the ambassador refused to greet the emperor with the traditional kow-tow and was instantly dismissed. The expedition, however, produced four major books, some finely illustrated in color..." - Hill, describing Henry Ellis' account of the embassy. About the present volume, he writes: "While the matters of the embassy were proceeding, the ships sailed on an expedition for the survey and exploration of the west coast of Korea and the Ryukyu Islands. In the course of this work a long visit was made to Okinawa. The people were very hospitable to the sailors and gave them a kindly, though careful, reception. On the return voyage... the Alceste struck a submerged reef and became a total loss..." Hill 1167.