Heading:
Author: Anson, George
Title: A Voyage Round the World, in the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV. By George Anson, Esq; Now Lord Anson, Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships, sent upon an Expedition to the South-Seas
Place Published: London
Publisher:Printed for the author by John and Paul Knapton
Date Published: 1749
Description:

Compiled from his Papers and Materials by Richard Walter, M.A., Chaplain of his Majesty's Ship the Centurion, in that Expedition. [20], 417, [3] pp. With 42 numbered copper-engraved maps, charts, views, coastal profiles, etc., most folding. (4to) 25.2x19 cm. (9¾x8"), period full calf, spine with gilt compartments, raised bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Fifth Edition.

Handsome copy of the sought-after fifth edition of Anson's voyage, superior in quality to the first four editions produced the preceding year. The work is justifiably famous for the many engraved charts and views, but also noteworthy for the text chronicling adventure and discovery as Anson roamed the Pacific in pursuit of Spanish treasure, at which he was very successful, capturing in 1743 the Manila galleon with a treasure of £400,000 sterling, returning to England a rich and famous man. Hill comments that "This compilation has long occupied a distinguished position as a masterpiece of descriptive travel. Anson's voyage appears to have been the most popular book of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century." Cox notes that four editions came out the first year of publication, with 16 by 1781. He also comments on the "famous and unfortunate" nature of the expedition, with seven of the eight ships that set out being lost rounding Cape Horn and on the coast of Chile, and more than two thirds of the 900 men that set out from England perishing. This copy does not have the large folding map of the world included with most copies of the fifth edition - though not called for in the list of plates. With the armorial bookplate of John Smyth, esq. of Heath. Cox Vol. I, p.49 (1st Ed.); Hill 1820; Sabin 101175.

Rubbing to calf, corner tips worn, rubbing to extremities, glue repairs to joints, minor chipping to spine ends; hinges reinforced with cloth tape, offsetting to edges of endpages and pages at front and rear, all plates present, some with a bit of edgewear but no real tears, small circular (wax?) stamp to blank page at rear, a very nice and solid copy; very good.