[iii-iv], ii, (3)-485 pp. 100 engraved plates (numbered 1-99 & 29 bis). (4to) 28x22 cm (11x8¾"), old green cloth, leather spine label. First Edition.
The Blossom, under the command of rear-admiral and geographer, Frederick William Beechey, was engaged for four years in the Pacific and Behring's Strait. Sir William Jackson Hooker, professor of Botany at Glasgow and, subsequently, director of Kew botanical garden, was primarily interested in geographical distribution. Together with Dr. Arnott, botanist, he was engaged upon an account of the plants collected during the voyage of the Blossom. The expedition visited Argentina, Chile, Easter Island, Tahiti, Hawaii, Kamchatcka, Kotzebue Sound, Mexico, California, and Macao. Thirty-seven of the plates were drawn by Hooker, initialed W.J.H in the plate, plate 20 was drawn by Captain Beechey. Very rare, only a single copy in auction records since 1978 (Sotheby's, March 2014 $18,420). Lada-Mocarski, 113; Nissen BBI 928; Stafleu II.3001 (stating only 125 copies printed); Pritzel 4226, Sabin 32863.
Condition:
Binding worn, front cover lacking, rear cover detached, library call numbers on spine, evidence of card pocket removed from rear pastedown, lacking free endpapers, no internal library markings. Lacking title page and errata list, dedication leaf detached, moderate foxing. Exceedingly rare and well worthy of restoration.