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FIRST EDITION. Quarto. FORSTER, Georg, A Voyage Round the World, in His Britannic Majesty's sloop, Resolution, commanded by Capt. James Cook, during the Years 1772, 3. 4, and 5. Two Volumes. First Edition, xviii, [2] 602 pp.[1] 2, 607 pp. with errata leaf,[small margin repair] [end paper spotting]. Complete copy with the Large folding engraved frontispiece chart of the Southern Hemisphere. Contemporary polished tree calf, [joint wear [all firm], raised bands, gilt, original leather titles, Published B. White, J. Robson, P. Elmsly, and G. Robinson. London, 1777. [with] FORSTER. John Reinold, Observations made during a Voyage round the World, on physical Geography, natural History and ethic Philosophy.[2] 649 pp [1 errata][1 Subscribers] Large folding letterpress comparative table of South Sea languages, with the subscribers' list and errata. [small margin repair]. Contemporary half calf, marbled boards, [joint wear[all firm] RARE UNCUT COPY, Published G. Robinson, London, 1778. Together THREE VOLUMES. First editions of both works. [ The first published important account of Cook's Second Voyage, which preceded the publication of the official record. 'An important and necessary addition to Cook's voyages' (Hill). The author and his father, Johann Reinhold Forster, sailed as naturalists on the Resolution. During this Second Voyage Cook made the first crossing of the Antarctic Circle, discovered the South Sandwich Islands and dispelled the idea of a great southern continent. Although originally it was intended that the elder Forster would write the official account of the voyage, a dispute with the Admiralty arose over payment and this unofficial account written by father and son was issued in March 1777 under the son's name, some six weeks before Cook's official account of the voyage. 'For all the controversy A Voyage round the World is an interesting and important account that complements the official one with facts and astute observations on the human side of the voyage' (Rosove). Forster sailed as naturalist on board HMS Resolution and his Observations were originally intended to accompany the official account of Cook's Second Voyage. The account of the voyage itself is therefore short, and the majority of the text relates to the scientific work of the voyage, including the comparative ethnographic observations and findings that Forster made in the South Seas. As part of his ethnographic studies he made detailed notes of the 'human species', giving information on the food, cannibalism, populations, status of women, customs, languages, and mythology, as well as recording the health and diseases of the islands. The final section 'presents a detailed evaluation of steps taken for the preservation of health on the voyage, notably the suggestions of James Lind on the treatment of scurvy' (Hill) I: Hill, 625; Beddie, 1248; Kroepelien, 450; Sabin, 25134. II: Hill, 628; Beddie, 1262; Kroepelien, 456; Hocken, p.18; Sabin, 25140; Rosove, 140. An Excellent Attractive Contemporary Set.
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