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Important collection of travel accounts regarding early Pacific exploration

DALRYMPLE, Alexander.
An historical collection of the several voyages and discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean. Vol. I: being chiefly a literal translation from the Spanish writers. Vol. II: containing the Dutch voyages.

Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer.

Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer.

Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer.

Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer.

Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer.



London, Printed for the author, 1770-71. 2 vols. in one. Large 4to. Contemporary full polished calf, richly gilt and decorated spine with gilt title on red morocco title-label (sl. damaged), gilt ornamental border along the sides of covers, gilt binding edges, marbled endpapers, marbled edges. Vol. 1: 3 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates; vol. 2: 7 folding engraved plans, 1 folding engraved map, 3 engraved plates, a few signed by J. Collyer. III-XXX, (2), 24, 204, (4), 21, (3); (4), 124, 20 (60) pp.

Second issue, which is the regular trade edition, of the original edition of this important work by Alexander Dalrymple, which is the result of his strong belief in the existence of a southern continent. In 1767 he had printed a few copies of An account of discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean before 1764, in order to make his findings known to the English political elite and to strengthen his own position with both the East India Company and the Royal Society. Dalrymple hoped to get the commission in the Navy to lead a planned expedition to the South Pacific in 1769. However, Lord Hawke, First Lord of the Admirality, and other members of the Navy elite were opposed to Dalrymple's appointment. Hawke did not want a repeat former troubles, and in the end James Cook, the King's Surveyor of Newfoundland, received the commission. Dalrymple was extremely disappointed, but continued his historical, geographical and hydrographical studies, which ultimately led to the present work.
The first volume contains translations from Spanish voyages, beginning with Ferdinand Magellan in 1519 and ending with Pedro Fernándes de Quirós and Luis Vaez de Torres in 1606. It was Dalrymple who named Torres Strait, after Quirós second-in-command (see further below). Volume 2 consists of the translations of the Dutch voyages of Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, Abel Tasman, and Jacob Roggeveen.
The first issue of this work of 1769-71 is exceedingly rare, and there are only a few copies extant. The regular trade edition (our copy) was issued in 1770-71. The second volume, printed in 1771, is exactly the same in both sets. However, the  two issues of the first volume have different title-pages and preliminary materials. Our copy contains: World map (folding), Title-page (verso blank; pp. III-IV), satirical (absurd) dedication by Dalrymple, dated January 1st, 1770 (pp. V-VI), preface by Dalrymple, dated 1 July 1769 (pp. VII-XVI), Introduction, dated 7 October 1769 (pp. XVII-XXX), 'Monthly review for May, 1769'((2) pp), 'Account of some natural curiosities at Sooloo (pp. 1-24, with a plate of two lobsters), followed by the accounts of the journeys of Magalhanes (pp. 1-34), Voyage of Grijalva and Alvarado (pp. 35-39), The Spanish discoveries before MDXCV (pp. 40-52), Voyage of Juan Dernandez (pp. 53-54), Islands of Fontacias (pp. 55-56), Voyage of Adelentado Alvaro Mendana de Neyra (pp. 57-94), Voyage of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros (pp. 95-144), Memorial presented to Philip II of Spain (pp. 145-161), Memorial presented by Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros to His Majesty (pp. 162-174), Advertisement of additional voyages (pp. 175-184), Additions and elucidations from Figueroa (pp. 185-204), Errata (3 pp.), folding Chart of the South Pacifick Ocean, Data on which the chart of the South Sea was formed (pp. 1-15), Of the Salomon Islands (pp. 16-21, including a folding map of the voyage of Dalrymple from the Cape of Good Hope to New Britain (or Salomon Islands), and a plate of a native sailing boat), Voyages and the authors consulted (3 pp.). A French translation from this version was printed in 8vo, at Paris by Saillant & Nyon in 1774.

Alexander Dalrymple (1737-1808) was a Scottish geographer and the first hydrographer of the British Admiralty. He was the main proponent of the theory that there existed a vast undiscovered continent in the South Pacific, Terra Australis Incognita. He produced thousands of nautical charts mapping a remarkable number of seas and oceans for the first time and contributing significantly to the safety of shipping. His theories prompted a number of expeditions in search of this mythical land, until James Cook demonstrated its non-existence on his second voyage in 1772-1775.
In 1752 he was appointed a writer in the East India Company, being first posted to Madras. While with the EIC he became interested in the possibilities of trade with the East Indies and China and subsequently negotiated a treaty with the sultan of Sulu and visited Canton. In 1765 he returned to London where was elected a fellow of the Royal Society.

Fine copy with wide margins.- (Lacks the often absent 2 pp. contents and directions to the binder; some marginal water staining in upper margin of the Index).
Howego D-4 (p. 293); Hill 410 and 409 (first issue); Holmes 32; Kroepelien 245; Sabin 18338; Streeter 2404.

Related Subjects: 18th Century  Discovery & Exploration  Pacific 

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