[iii]-xxix, [3], 360, 47, [1] pp. Illustrated with a large copper-engraved folding chart of the northwest coast of America as frontispiece & 21 other copper-engraved plates, charts & maps, seven of them folding. (4to) 27.5x20.5 cm (10¾x8¼"), period tree calf, spine with gilt tooling, morocco lettering piece. First Edition.
Important work on the Northwest coast of North America, comprising a series of 49 letters giving an account of an English expedition to establish fur trade in North America, with information on North American geography, ethnology, and natural history from Nootka Sound northward. Actually written by William Beresford and edited with appendices by George Dixon. Streeter notes: "Portlock and Dixon, who had been with Captain Cook, made this expedition to the northwest coast of America to collect furs for a group of London merchants. Portlock, the Commander-in-Chief, was on the King George. The expedition left Gravesend August 29, 1785, and arrived at the Sandwich Islands via Cape Horn in May 1786. The mouth of Cook's River in Alaska was reached July 18 and the rest of the summer was spent in sailing down the Coast as far as Nootka Sound. The expedition wintered in the Sandwich Islands and in 1788 proceeded to Prince William Sound where they met Captain Meares. The vessels parted company in May, with Portlock exploring the Alaskan coast and Dixon sailing again for Nootka Sound, where he named `Dixon's Entrance' and the `Queen Charlotte Islands.' The furs were sold at Canton, China, and both ships, after a most successful voyage, arrived back in England by way of Cape Good Hope in the Summer of 1788." Forbes calls the work "an important supplement and companion to Nathaniel Portlock's narrative" of his trading expedition on the King George, and notes the significance of "its account of trading at Hawaii, Kauai, and Niihau, with considerable information on the chiefs and the political atmosphere of the period." This copy bound without the half-title, as often occurs. Bookplate of Evelyn I. Shirley.
Provenance: Wreden, 11/87
References: Cowan (1914) p.70; Cox II, pp.27-28; Forbes 162; Hill 118; Howes D365; Lada Mocarski 43; Sabin 64390; Streeter Sale 3484; Wagner CNW 732-35; Wickersham 6574.