Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. In Five Volumes, and an Atlas.

WILKES, Charles.

Edité par Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1845

A propos de cet article

First trade edition, third overall, and the first to be generally available for public purchase. The expedition provided the first compelling evidence of Antarctica as a continent, rather than islands, by mapping some 2,400 kilometres of its coastline, now known as Wilkes Land. "It was the first American expedition of any size, charged to 'extend the bounds of Science and promote the acquisition of knowledge,' and was one of the most ambitious Pacific expeditions ever attempted" (Forbes). The expedition, led by Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), explored the American Pacific coasts, the islands of the South Pacific and Antarctica, marking an important step in the growth of American self-reliance. Originally conceived in 1828, the expedition was initially merely intended to promote commerce and protect American investments in the whaling and sealing industries in the South Seas. By the time the expedition set off in 1836, its crew augmented with a body of scientists and draughtsmen. Among the expedition's numerous accomplishments were reaching a southern latitude of 70°14', producing the best map of the California coast to date, a collection of 50,000 plant and animal samples, 5,000 anthropological samples (including clothing and pottery), and one of the finest collections of coral samples in the world, now at the Smithsonian. In addition, the map of the Oregon Territory predates John Charles Frémont's first Oregon Trail pathfinder expedition led by Kit Carson during 1842. This edition was preceded by the very rare official 1844 edition (100 copies) and the US government's "unofficial issue" of 1845 (150 copies); Haskell states that 1,000 sets of the present edition were issued. The text was entirely reset from the two quarto editions and the set was priced at 25 dollars for subscribers. No expense was spared in the production of this superb edition. "Every opportunity was taken to procure political, historical, and scientific information, and the artists Joseph Drayton and Alfred T. Agate executed an enormous number of drawings, many of which appear in the text volumes as full-page plates or as equally fine engraved or woodcut vignettes" (Forbes). Forbes 1574; Haskell 2-B; Howes W-414; Rosove 353.B1. 6 vols, imperial octavo (262 x 165 mm), including 5 text vols and atlas With 64 engraved plates (with tissue guards), 14 maps (9 in text vols and 5 large folding maps in atlas, one with wash colour), steel-engraved vignettes and woodcuts in text, examples of music. Contemporary dark green half morocco, spines with raised bands, gilt-lettered direct, marbled sides, endpapers, and edges. June 1881 ownership inscription of John Thomas (1829-1897), of Hokendauqua, PA, on each front flyleaf. Thomas was active in the Leheigh Valley iron industry. Bookseller's ticket of R.M. Johnson of Chester, PA in each vol. Bindings rubbed or with minor repairs in places, gilt to vol. III oxidized, some inner hinges starting, endleaves slightly soiled in places, front endpapers and 4 maps with discolouration from glue on verso, small hole to half-title of vol. V, maps in atlas backed on linen and trimmed to neatline, one likely supplied (Hawai'i). A very good copy.

N° de réf. du vendeur 179110

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. In Five Volumes, and an Atlas.
• Éditeur: Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1845