Rare, antiquarian, used & out-of-print books on Circumnavigations, for sale at Horizon Books.
ANSON, George; A Voyage Round the World, in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV. . . Compiled from Papers & Other Materials of the Right Honourable George Lord Anson, and Published under His Direction by Richard Walter, M.A. Chaplain of His Majesty's Ship the Centurion. London, Printed for the Author by John and Paul Knapton, 1748, First edition, first issue with page 319 shown as 219, 4to [26 x 21 cm]; [xxxiv], 417 pp, complete with 42 folding copper engraved maps, plans, charts, views and with the subscriber list, contemporary full calf, rebacked with later leather spine, gilt title lettering on leather spine label, edge wear on cover, map with tear, endpaper bookplate, few margins with short tear, very light foxing on few margins, else clean, unmarked, very good.
This classic travel narrative is an account of the first attempt by a naval expedition to circumnavigate the world, with the purpose being to plunder Spanish colonies in the Pacific, with only one of the eight ships returning, with Anson, who later became an admiral, taking a Spanish treasure ship, the Manila galleon, off the Philippines. Sabin 1625. 'Anson's voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to the British public of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which did something to restore national self-esteem' [DNB]. Hill I, 318: 'A masterpiece of descriptive travel. . . . Anson's voyage appears to have been the most popular book of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century'. Cox I, 49: 'This famous and unfortunate expedition, consisting at the start of eight ships, was sent under the command of George Anson at the beginning of the war with Spain, to harass the Spaniards on the western coast of South America. Seven ships were lost around Cape Horn and on the coast of Chile and out of 900 men, 600 perished. The primary object of the expedition was not attained, but by the capture of the Manila Galleon near China, Anson and the surviving members of his crew reached England much the richer. This account is the official one. . . It is a model of what such literature should be'. Famous for its many engraved
US$4200. bookID # 11767
BELCHER, Captain Sir Edward; Narrative of a Voyage Round the World Performed in Her Majesty's Ship Sulphur, During the Years 1836-1843, including details of the Naval Operations in China, from Dec. 1840 to Nov. 1841. London, Henry Colburn, Publisher, 1843, First edition, 8vo [24 x 15 cm]; 2 volumes, xxii, 387; vii, 474 pp, complete set with 19 engraved plates with tissue guards, 2 frontis's, 3 folding engraved maps are in the pocket of volume I, engraved illustrations in text, index, orig blind-stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, light wear to rear joint of volume II, internal hinges with old re-enforcement, cover lightly rubbed, interiors clean and fine, overall near fine set, unmarked.
Sabin 4390. National Maritime Museum Catalogue 172. Hill I, p. 20: "The voyage was intended for the exploration and survey of the Pacific coast of North and South America and the Pacific Basin. The various harbors along the coast of California and northwest to Alaska were surveyed, and a months journey in open boats was made up the Sacramento River from San Francisco Bay. The Hawaiian Islands, the Marquesas, the Society Islands, the Tonga Islands, the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, etc., were visited." The plates include views of City of Panama, Port of Honolulu, Mount St. Elias, New Archangel, Fort George at Astoria, Port Anna Maria at Marquesas, as well as several of native peoples, sea scenes and Chinese soldiers. Belcher boarded at Panama and acted as commander for the rest of the expedition, after Captain Beechey became ill. Belcher had earlier sailed with Beechey on the Blossom as surveyor. Volume II has a large section by Richard Brinsley Hinds, surgeon to the expedition, on vegetation in various parts of the world, with its own contents page. An excellent set of one of the most important nineteenth century circumnavigations.
US$2000. bookID # 12813
BRASSEY, Mrs; Around the World in the Yacht 'Sunbeam', Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months. New York, Henry Holt and Company, 1880, , 8vo [22 x 14 cm]; xi, 479 pp, frontis of the Sunbeam, numerous illus, fldg colored map showing route, tables, index, original pictorial blue cloth, with gilt picture of ship and gilt lettering, gilt vignette on spine, rubbed at edges, ligjhtly foxed on some leaves, very good sound copy.
One of the more famous travels by a woman in the 19th century, the book is filled with fascinating plates and illustrations, with visits to Chile, south sea islands including Tahiti and Hawaii, two chapters on Honolulu, much on Japan including Yokohama, Kyoto, Canton, Singapore, Ceylon, Aden, Suez, etc. Robinson 203: "The Victorian public welcomed Annie Brassey's books with an enthusiasm reserved nowadays for episodes of a soap opera."
US$40. bookID # 11085
BYRON, John; edited by Robert E. Gallagher; Byron's Journal of his Circumnavigation 1764-1766. Cambridge, The Hakluyt Society, 1964, First Edition, 8vo [22 x 14 cm]; lxxxii, 230 pp, illus, plates, fldg maps, bibliog, orig cloth, gilt vignette on front cover, gilt spine title lettering a little faded, near fine clean copy.
Although Byron re-discovered the Falklands, he was also to search for the Northwest passage, which he failed to do. The book includes the admiralty's secret instructions and Byron's letter explaining why he disobeyed them. The extensive introduction provides an excellent overview of exploration at the time. But the most interesting part of the book is the chapter on the legendary 10-11 foot high Patagonian giants (who are illustrated in one of the plates) by Helen Wallis.
US$20. bookID # 8049
DARWIN, Charles; Journal of Researches Into the Natural History & Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle Under the Command of Capt. Fitzroy, R. N.. Cambridge, The Limited Editions Club, 1956, First limited edition, limited to 1,500 signed copies, this is #1180, signed by the illustrator, Robert Gibbings, 4to [31 x 20 cm]; xvi, [i], 489, [i] pp, wood engravings, title page in red and black, notes, index, original light brown sailcloth, decorated with a motif inspired by a Polynesian bark cloth, label with gilt lettering, orig slipcase (lightly rubbed at edges), orig label on slipcase is unworn, rear hinge cracked but firm, book is fine, clean.
One of the most important voyages of the nineteenth century, the information gathered by Darwin on this extended journey, begun when he was 22, became the basis and inspiration for developing the Theory of Evolution and his book, On the Origin of Species. Contains a useful introduction by Gavin de Beer. Freeman 146. Day (Pacific Island Literature, 100 basic books): 'Still highly readable as an account of the adventures of a brilliant young scientist'.
US$160. bookID # 9263
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