Compiled from his Papers and Materials by Richard Walter, M.A., Chaplain of his Majesty's Ship the Centurion, in that Expedition. [20], 417, [2] pp. With 43 copper-engraved maps, charts, views, coastal profiles, etc., most folding. (4to) 11½x9, period calf with gilt-roll borders, expertly rebacked with modern calf, spine tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering piece. Fifth Edition.
Beautiful, wide-margined copy, on fine, thick paper, of the sought-after fifth edition of Anson's voyage, superior in quality to the first four editions produced the preceding year, and containing the double-page chart of the world, with California depicted as an island, which was not issued with the first edition. The work is justifiably famous for the many engraved charts and views, but also noteworthy for the text chronicling adventure and discovery as Anson roamed the Pacific in pursuit of Spanish treasure, at which he was very successful, capturing in 1743 the Manila galleon with a treasure of £400,000 sterling, returning to England a rich and famous man. Hill comments that "This compilation has long occupied a distinguished position as a masterpiece of descriptive travel. Anson's voyage appears to have been the most popular book of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century." Cox notes that four editions came out the first year of publication, with 16 by 1781. He also comments on the "famous and unfortunate" nature of the expedition, with seven of the eight ships that set out being lost rounding Cape Horn and on the coast of Chile, and more than two thirds of the 900 men that set out from England perishing. On the front pastedown is pasted a printed notice of provenance, "This book was left to Lord Donoughmore by Mrs. Margaret Hely-Hutchinson.." Cox Vol. I, p.49 (1st Ed.); Hill Pacific Voyages, p.318.
Condition:
Occasional mild foxing and offset to plates and adjacent leaves, a few marginal finger smudges, still a fine, handsome copy.