MEARES, John (1756?-1809). Voyages Made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the North West Coast of America. London: Logographic Press, sold by J. Walter, 1790.

4to (290 x 218 mm). 5pp. subscribers' list. 28 engraved plates, coastal profiles, and maps (10 folding). (Minor pale spotting and offsetting.) Modern calf antique.

FIRST EDITION, LARGE-PAPER COPY, OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS REGARDING THE CLAIM TO OREGON. "Meare's voyages resulted in the Nootka Sound affair between Britain and Spain, and were the foundation of Britain's claim to Oregon, later ceded to the United States" (Abbey). John Meares "was sent out in 1786 from Calcutta, by a group of merchants, to enter into the fur trade of the northwest coast of America. Establishing himself at Nootka Sound and flying the British flag, he built the first vessel to be launched in northern waters, made important discoveries, and explored the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The discoveries by Meares were part of the basis for the claim of Great Britain to Oregon. Competition with the Spanish almost caused war between the two countries and this struggle became known as the Nootka Controversy. The Spanish seizure of his ships led to the convention by which the Spanish claims to any northern territory were finally disallowed. 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" (Hill). Various bibliographies call for differing numbers of plates; the present copy conforms to the Frank S. Streeter copy (and the majority of those sold at auction) with 28 plates. Abbey Travel 594; Hill 1126; Howes M-468; Sabin 47260 (26 plates); Smith 6690 (26 plates); Staton & Tremaine/TPL 612 (33 plates); Wagner Northwest Coast 758, 758a, 759-766.


Estimate $3,000-4,000

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