598, [1] pp. Illustrated with 3 engraved plates, including a stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Capt. Amasa Delano, a stipple-engraved portrait of King Abba Thulle (of Pelew Island), and a folding copper-engraved map along with vignette views of Pitcairn's Island. (8vo) 22x12.5cm (8¾x5"), period full tree calf with gilt roll border, spine tooled and lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. First Edition.
Capt. Delano’s important account of his 1790 and 1807 trips throughout the Pacific Ocean, including voyages to the Galapagos Islands, Pitcairn Island, New Guinea, the East Indies, Palau, Australia, Canton, Macao, the Philippines, and Hawaii. Also, known for being the primary source material for Herman Melville's “Benito Cereno,” providing the information on the Spanish ship Tryal which had been taken over by Negro slaves, and the capture off Santa Maria Island. This copy with interesting pencil notes on two of the front flyleaves (one of which is detached), pertaining to ocean voyages in the mid-19th century, including one by "W.H. Hooper, on board Ship Darius, John Austin Master, Made St. Helena Sunday the 28th of March 1841 at 11 am. Anchored Monday... Left Wednesday..." Sabin 19349; Ferguson 673; Hill I, p. 83; Howes D-233.
Condition:
Just minor rubbing and wear to the covers, which are quite sound; light, mostly marginal dampstain to early leaves including frontispiece and title-page, another light dampstain at rear, occasional foxing, some tearing to bottom of blank page at rear; very good, nicer than usually encountered.