A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World; in Which the Coast of North-West America Has Been Carefully Examined and Accurately Surveyed Undertaken by His Majesty's Command, Principally with a View to Ascertain the Existence of Any Navigable Communication Between the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans and Performed in the Years 1790,1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1795, in the Discovery Sloop of War, and Armed Tender Chatham

London: Printed for John Stockdale, 1801. Hardcover. very good. 1st Octavo edition. 410; 418; 435; 417; 454; 412; (2)pp. Octavo (14 X 21 cm.) 6 volumes. Bound in 19th century half calf and paper covered boards. All of the board edges have been reinforced with vellum when the binding was done. Volume one has been rebacked to match the rest of the set. Red leather labels. The contents are generally clean with some general soiling throughout. The plates have moderate foxing mainly to the edges. External joints a bit tender on the odd volume but not really a problem. A New edition, with Corrections. Seventeen folding plates and two folding maps with the large folding map housed in a custom slip case to match the rest of the set. The large folding maps has been backed with linen at an early date. The back of the linen has been heavily stained but the front image is good. very good Hill p.304. One of the most important voyages made in the interests of geographical knowledge. Vancouver who had been with Cook on his second and third voyages, was made commander of an expedition to reclaim Britain's rights after the Nootka convention. Sailing by way of Cape of Good Hope, Vancouver made his way to Australia where he discovered King George's Sound and Cape Hood, then to New Zealand, Hawaii, and the northwest coast of America. In three seasons work Vancouver surveyed the coast of California, visited San Francisco and San Diego, settled formalities with the Spanish at Nootka, investigated the Strait of Juan de Fuca, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver Island, and disproved the existence of any passage between the Pacific and Hudson Bay. The work would be completed by his brother John, assisted by Captain Peter Puget, George having died before the narrative was finished. Bookplate of R. Pilkington on the front paste down of each volume. This second edition like the first has become very scarce and has disappeared from the market. 1801