"A Voyage Round the World In the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV. George Anson, Esq; Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty's Ships, sent upon an Expedition to the South-Seas", Anson, George

Title continues, "Compiled From Papers and other Materials of the Right Honourable George Lord Anson, and published under his Direction. By Richard Walter, M.A. Chaplain of his Majesty's Ship the Centurion, in that Expedition. The Third Edition. With Charts of the Southern Part of South America, of Part of the Pacific Ocean, and the Track of the Centurion round the World." Folding charts are: "A Chart Shewing The Track of the Centurion round the World" (15.7" x 9"); "A Chart of the Pacific Ocean from the Equinoctial to the Latitude of 39 ½d. No." (33.5" x 10.5"); and "A Chart of the Southern Part of South America..." (19" x 19.6"). Hardbound in brown calf, spine with raised bands and red leather label with gilt lettering, 548 pp.

Anson's expedition of eight ships was sent, at the beginning of the war with Spain, to harass the Spaniards along the coast of South America. Seven of his ships were lost around Cape Horn and Chile with a loss of 600 men. The squadron failed in harassing the Spanish, but did manage to capture a Manila Galleon, salvaging Anson's reputation and making he and his remaining crew very wealthy. This work has long been considered a masterpiece of descriptive travel. The first, second & third editions were all published in 1748. This edition contains the dedication by Richard Walter to the Duke of Bedford. On its verso is a statement explaining that the plates in the quarto editions are too numerous & large to be folded in an octavo volume so only three charts were included.

References:

Condition: B

Covers a little rubbed and with oxidation of spine leather, front cover starting. One signature just starting. Contents very good. Maps with occasional stains and short binding tears.