Rare, antiquarian, used & out-of-print books on Circumnavigations, for sale at Horizon Books.
BELCHER, Captain Sir Edward; Narrative of a Voyage Round the World Performed in Her Majesty's Ship Sulphur, During the Years 1836-1843, including details of the Naval Operations in China, from Dec. 1840 to Nov. 1841. London, Henry Colburn, Publisher, 1843, First edition, 8vo [24 x 15 cm]; 2 volumes, xxii, 387; vii, 474 pp, complete set with 19 engraved plates with tissue guards, 2 frontis's, 3 folding engraved maps are in the pocket of volume I, engraved illustrations in text, index, orig blind-stamped cloth, gilt spine title lettering, light wear to rear joint of volume II, internal hinges with old re-enforcement, cover lightly rubbed, interiors clean and fine, overall near fine set, unmarked.
Sabin 4390. National Maritime Museum Catalogue 172. Hill I, p. 20: "The voyage was intended for the exploration and survey of the Pacific coast of North and South America and the Pacific Basin. The various harbors along the coast of California and northwest to Alaska were surveyed, and a months journey in open boats was made up the Sacramento River from San Francisco Bay. The Hawaiian Islands, the Marquesas, the Society Islands, the Tonga Islands, the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, etc., were visited." The plates include views of City of Panama, Port of Honolulu, Mount St. Elias, New Archangel, Fort George at Astoria, Port Anna Maria at Marquesas, as well as several of native peoples, sea scenes and Chinese soldiers. Belcher boarded at Panama and acted as commander for the rest of the expedition, after Captain Beechey became ill. Belcher had earlier sailed with Beechey on the Blossom as surveyor. Volume II has a large section by Richard Brinsley Hinds, surgeon to the expedition, on vegetation in various parts of the world, with its own contents page. An excellent set of one of the most important nineteenth century circumnavigations.
US$2000. bookID # 12813
BYRON, John; edited by Robert E. Gallagher; Byron's Journal of his Circumnavigation 1764-1766. Cambridge, The Hakluyt Society, 1964, First Edition, 8vo [22 x 14 cm]; lxxxii, 230 pp, illus, plates, fldg maps, bibliog, orig cloth, gilt vignette on front cover, gilt spine title lettering a little faded, near fine clean copy.
Although Byron re-discovered the Falklands, he was also to search for the Northwest passage, which he failed to do. The book includes the admiralty's secret instructions and Byron's letter explaining why he disobeyed them. The extensive introduction provides an excellent overview of exploration at the time. But the most interesting part of the book is the chapter on the legendary 10-11 foot high Patagonian giants (who are illustrated in one of the plates) by Helen Wallis.
US$20. bookID # 8049
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