MEARES (John). Voyages made in the years 1788 and 1789, from - Lot 116

MEARES (John). Voyages made in the years 1788 and 1789, from China to the north west coast of America. London, Logographic press, 1790. Large volume in-4, VIII p., [6] f. (subscribers, table), XCV-372 p., [53] f. (tables and an appendix), modern red half-maroquin with corners, spine with raised bands, author and title gilt, gilt-lettered head, untrimmed (leg. rubs on nerves, edges and corners, foxing, including on a few plates, light ink stain on one plate, transfer of a few plates to the facing text; one plate lacking). First edition of this account of great importance in the exploration of North America, providing in particular valuable information on the Indian nations. Illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of the author, engraved by C. Bestland after W. Beechey; 10 maps and plans, including 3 fold-outs illustrating the American and Asian coasts explored by Captain Cook (1778-1779) and further explored by John Meares (1788-1789), as well as several ports and islands such as Port Cox, Port Effingham, Port Meares.... also with 16 (of 17) plates, including 7 fold-outs or double pages, after Meares, T.S. Parry, T. Stothard and C. Metz. They show views of the Philippine Islands, the city of Macao, the Sandwich Islands (including a newly discovered island), portraits of the chiefs of Nootka Sound and a native of Onryhee, one of the Sandwich Islands. Detailed list of plates on request. (Sabin 47260).