A journal of a voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty’s ship the Endeavour.

A$15,000 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Limited edition

Faithfully transcribed from the papers of the late Sydney Parkinson, draughtsman to Joseph Banks, Esq. on his late Expedition with Dr. Solander, round the world. Embellished with views and designs, delineated by the author, and engraved by capital artists. London : printed for Stanfield Parkinson, the editor, 1773. Quarto, contemporary full speckled calf ruled in gilt, split to upper joint, spine with gilt ornamentation and contrasting morocco title label lettered in gilt, a lovely tall copy (340 mm high) with wide margins; marbled endpapers, engraved frontispiece, pp. xxiii, 212, [2, errata], 27 copper-engraved plates (offsetting as usual), and an engraved map of New Zealand; a very good copy. The unofficial account of Cook s first voyage. The gifted natural history artist Sydney Parkinson was invited by Sir Joseph Banks to serve as botanical draughtsman on Cook s voyage to the South Seas in the Endeavour, 1768-1771. The main objectives of the expedition were to observe the Transit of Venus (successfully accomplished in Tahiti in June, 1769) and to confirm the existence of Terra Australis Incognita. Following the death of the topographical draughtsman, Alexander Buchan, in Tahiti, Parkinson assumed the role of the expedition s principal artist. Parkinson produced over 1300 drawings and sketches on the voyage, before succumbing to dysentery at Batavia. He died at sea in late January, 1771. On returning to England, Parkinson s drawings and papers were acquired by Banks from Pa

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.