PBA Galleries

[24], 548 pp. With 3 large folding copper-engraved charts. (8vo) 19.5x12 cm. (7¾x4¾"), period calf. Fourth Edition.

Fourth edition of the narrative of Anson's famed expedition, the same years as the quarto first edition, with three significant chats: the world with California as an island; the southern reaches of South America showing the Straight of Magellan; and the Pacific Ocean with the tracks of the treasure-laden Spanish galleons. 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.