A Compendious Geographical and Historical Grammar, exhibiting a brief survey of the terraqueous globe. The second edition, corrected and considerably improved. [with] A Compendious Geographical Dictionary. The third edition, embellished with maps, including those of Australasia and Polynesia. [with] JONES, Stephen. A New Biographical Dictionary. The Fourth edition, corrected

PEACOCK, W. (publisher)

Published by W. Peacock and Sons, London, 1804

About this Item

Three volumes altogether, duodecimo, engraved folding maps highlighted in watercolour; uniformly bound in contemporary dark blue straight-grained morocco, all edges gilt; in original matching bookform box, gilt tooled spine. Fine example of a reference library in miniature from the Georgian period. Contained in its original custom-made book form box, and including two geographical reference works - one arranged alphabetically and the other by region. The third volume is a general biographical dictionary from ancient to contemporary times. The two geographical references, which were intended as companion volumes, are of particular interest for what they show of the dissemination of information about discoveries in the Pacific to the general reading public. As late as 1802, some thirty years after the discovery of the Australian east coast by Cook, the Geographical and Historical Grammar notes the existence of New Holland only in a postscript entitled "New Discoveries": 'New Holland, an exceedingly large island in the Southern part of the Indian Ocean, upon the Eastern shore of which, at Botany Bay, the British have, with these few years, begun a new settlement'. This statement is followed by a list of Pacific Ocean discoveries and advice to consult the Geographical Dictionary for further information. The Dictionary, here in its 1804 edition, includes folding maps of Australasia and Polynesia, with individual listings of numerous new discoveries in the Pacific. Whilst there are very brief entries for Botany Bay and New Holland, New Zealand, Otaheite, and "Papous, Land of" (Papua), there is a very detailed entry for the Sandwich Islands, including information about the history and geography of the islands, the native inhabitants, their culture and language. . Seller Inventory # 3403145

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Compendious Geographical and Historical ...

Publisher: W. Peacock and Sons, London

Publication Date: 1804

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: A fine and charming set.