Beschreibung:

Title: Voyages made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North West Coast of America. To which are prefixed, an Introductory Narrative of a Voyage performed in 1786, from Bengal, in the Ship Nootka; Observations on the Probable Existence of a North West Passage; and some account of the Trade between the North West Coast of America and China; and the latter country and Great Britain Author: Meares, John Place: London Publisher: Printed at the Logographic Press and sold by J. Walter Date: 1790 Description: viii, [12], xcv, [1], 372, [108] pp. With 25 (of 27) copper-engraved maps, plates, views, plans, sketches, etc. (some folding; some in stipple or aquatint). (4to) 11¼x9, antique style modern full mottled calf, spine tooled in gilt, morocco lettering piece, raised bands. First Edition. Meares' own account of his two fur-trading voyages to the Northwest Coast, which were to exert profound influence on sovereignty of the region., in the words of David Forbes, the book was "central to British claims to the Northwest Territory and led to the convention by which Spain's claim was finally disallowed." Lada-Mocarski declares this work "One of the early and fundamental books on the Northwest Coast of America in general and on Alaska in particular." Hill describes it thus: "This important narrative gives a very full account of the Indian nations of Northwest America, describing their villages, languages, manners, and customs. It also contains a separate account of the voyage of the Iphegenia, commanded by Captain William Douglas which visited the Sandwich Islands and Nootka Sound." Howes adds that it's the "Pioneer English voyage to this coast, supplying the chief basis to British claims to Oregon. Spanish pretensions to territory beyond California were relinquished in the treaty following England's remonstrance over the seizure of Meare's ships, anchored off Nootka," which conflict became known as the "Nootka Controversy." Lacking the portrait frontispiece of Meares, as well as the Portrait of Wynee which should face. p.27. The Philippine plate, not issued with all copies, which usually faces p.17, is also not present. Graff 2734; Forbes 201; Hill 1126; Howes M469; Sabin 47260; Smith 6690; Streeter 3491; Wickersham 6595. Lot Amendments Condition: Folding chart of Northern Pacific split along central fold, a few other tears and creasing; some minor foxing and offset, overall very good. Item number: 195408