The Four Years Voyages of Capt. George Roberts; Being a Series of Uncommon Events. Together with Observations on the Minerals, Mineral Waters, Metals, and Salts, and of the Nitre with which some of these Islands abound.

DEFOE, Daniel (formerly attrib.).

Edité par London: Printed for A. Bettesworth and J. Osborn, 1726

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First edition of this handsomely bound adventure narrative, attributed to Defoe until the later years of the 20th century. The Four Years Voyages follows Roberts (by all accounts a real historical figure) as he is captured by pirates, set adrift in a sloop, shipwrecked, and pursued across the Cape Verde Islands. Defoe's frequently clandestine approach to publication has resulted in an ever-changing canon. By the late 19th century, when this work was rebound, almost 400 titles were assigned to Defoe, nearly 300 more than listed in the first (1790) bibliography of his work. The attribution of the Four Years Voyages to Defoe, primarily on stylistic grounds, demonstrates the shift in critical attitudes to his famed prose style, for the work is now thought to be that of an less sophisticated imitator recounting Roberts's story. ESTC T56902; Moore 483; Trent p. 23. P. N. Furbank & W. R. Owens, Defoe De-Attributions, 1994, pp. 142-3. Octavo (189 x 118 mm), pp. [vi], 458 pp. Engraved folding map frontispiece and three other plates, wood-engraved head- and tailpieces and historiated initials. Late 19th-century crushed red morocco, spine ruled and decorated in gilt and with twin dark green morocco labels, covers panelled and with cornerpieces in gilt, turn-ins in gilt, marbled endpapers, edges marbled and gilt. Light sunning to spine, minor browning and foxing to contents, plates crisp and complete: a very good copy.

N° de réf. du vendeur 180323

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The Four Years Voyages of Capt. George Roberts; Being a Series of Uncommon Events. Together with Observations on the Minerals, Mineral Waters, Metals, and Salts, and of the Nitre with which some of these Islands abound.
• Éditeur: London: Printed for A. Bettesworth and J. Osborn, 1726
• Édition: Edition originale