Solander Troil (1 results)

Octavo, large map and chart and eleven plates (most folding), 13 plates in total; contemporary quarter roan and marbled boards. First German edition, preceded only by the very rare Swedish edition of 1777, and followed by London and Paris editions in the 1780s. This study, a major work on the geography, history, and culture of Iceland, was written and edited by Uno von Troil, who sailed with Banks and Solander on the voyage to Iceland, undertaken after Banks' precipitate withdrawal from Cook's second voyage. Von Troil's work is the only major work undertaken by any member of the voyage, and naturally includes any number of references to Sir Joseph Banks and his retinue. As an interesting aside, in the 22nd letter, a description of the pillars of basalt, there is a particular discussion of the island of Staffa, which is noted as belonging to none other than "Lauchlan MacQuarie": father of Governor Macquarie. It is also interesting to note that this German edition does not include a lengthy letter from Banks relating to the island of Staffa (and apparently derived from Pennant's Tour of Scotland) which was later included in the English translation of von Troil's work in 1780. Despite its importance as a printed document directly relating to Banks - as, in effect, the only account of his alternative voyage - this significant edition is not known to be held in any Australian collection: indeed, any of the early editions appear to be very scarce. .