[2], xv, [3], xvii-xxviii, 387, [22], [6], 417-454, [2] pp. With 4 folding engraved maps & charts; folding engraved view of the Chinese frontier town of Maimatschin. (8vo) 21.6x12.5 cm (8¼x5"), period tree calf rebacked with modern calf, spine tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering piece. Third Edition, revised and corrected.
Important digest of narratives of Russian exploration compiled from a variety of sources. This third edition is important as being the first to contain the supplement, "A Comparative View of the Russian Discoveries with those made by Captains Cook and Clerke...," which compares the discoveries of James Cook and James Clerke with those of earlier Russian explorers, also issued separately the same year. Forbes calls the work "an important and early commentary on Northern Pacific explorations." Old ink name of Henry Ellis Boates on front pastedown, along with bookplate of Karl V. Steinbrugge. The maps in this edition are the same as those in the first and second editions, though printed on thinner paper:
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General Map of the Russian Empire. 29.7x58.5 cm.
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Krenitzin's and Levasheff's Voyage to the Fox Islands in 1768 and 1769. 20x58.5 cm.
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Chart of Synd's Voyage towards Tschukotskoi Noss. 43x43.5 cm.
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Chart of Shalauroff's Voyage. 11x33 cm.
Provenance: PBA 2/13/96, Karl Steinbrugge sale
References: Forbes 134; Holmes 107; Sabin 17309 Howes C834; Lada-Mocarski 29.