A Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle

(London: The Folio Society, 1977). 8vo; original pictorial cloth, lettered in gilt on spine; tinted top edge; papered slipcase; endpaper map; pp. 359; colour plates. Slipcase a little rubbed; trace of spotting to backstrip and fore-edge. Very good condition. Being passages from the Narrative written by Captain Robert FitzRoy, R.N., together with extracts from his logs, reports and letters; additional material from the diary and letters of Charles Darwin, notes from Midshipman Philip King and letters from Second Lieutenant Bartholomew Sulivan. Selected and edited by David Stanbury. "The voyage of H.M.S. Beagle during which Charles Darwin was a passenger formed the central part of a series of three expeditions mounted by the Admiralty to survey and chart the South American coastline. This process started in 1826 and continued until 1837. … One of [the 170 major surveying expeditions sent out by Sir Francis Beaufort of the Hydrographic Department], in the autumn of 1831, was commanded by Captain Robert FitzRoy and was to take H.M.S. Beagle on her second voyage to the coasts of South America. … Captain FitzRoy furnished the Admiralty with 82 coastal sheets, 80 plans of harbours and 40 views covering the southern portions of the continent of South America. He gained considerable public honour and recognition, and received the Royal Geographical Society's medal in 1837, establishing himself as a first-rate hydrographer and surveyor." - From the introduction by David Stanbury .