Details
FORSTER, Johann Reinhold (1729-1798). History of the Voyages and Discoveries made in the North. London: G.G.J. and J. Robinson, 1786. 4° (257 x 208mm). Half title and final publisher's advertisement leaf. 3 engraved folding maps by T. Bowen after Forster (variable light offsetting and spotting, short tears on maps, advertisement leaf with neatly-repaired deep tears). Contemporary half diced russia over drab boards, spine gilt in compartments, red edges (boards rubbed, scuffed and marked, splitting on hinges, skilfully rebacked and recornered).
FIRST ENGLISH EDITION. A 'LEARNED ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS FOR DISCOVERING THE NORTH-WEST AND NORTH-EAST PASSAGES' (Sabin). Forster's Geschichte der Entdeckungen und Schiffahrten im Norden was published in Frankfurt in 1784, and two English-language editions were published in 1776: the present example and another in Dublin. The work is important as a 'Chronicle of northern hemispheric exploration from antiquity to the middle of the 18th century, which includes [...] chapters on the voyages of principal seafaring countries, beginning in the 15th century' (Arctic Bibliography 5159). However, the author's objectivity was compromised by his disputatious character -- which had previously led to arguments with other travellers -- with the consequence that his work 'contains a great deal of useful information, much hypothesis and conjecture, as well as some mistakes, and many peevish and ill-natured reflections, particularly on the English' (Lowndes). Arctic Bibliography 5161; Cox III, p. 22; Lowndes p.820; Sabin 25138.
FIRST ENGLISH EDITION. A 'LEARNED ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS FOR DISCOVERING THE NORTH-WEST AND NORTH-EAST PASSAGES' (Sabin). Forster's Geschichte der Entdeckungen und Schiffahrten im Norden was published in Frankfurt in 1784, and two English-language editions were published in 1776: the present example and another in Dublin. The work is important as a 'Chronicle of northern hemispheric exploration from antiquity to the middle of the 18th century, which includes [...] chapters on the voyages of principal seafaring countries, beginning in the 15th century' (Arctic Bibliography 5159). However, the author's objectivity was compromised by his disputatious character -- which had previously led to arguments with other travellers -- with the consequence that his work 'contains a great deal of useful information, much hypothesis and conjecture, as well as some mistakes, and many peevish and ill-natured reflections, particularly on the English' (Lowndes). Arctic Bibliography 5161; Cox III, p. 22; Lowndes p.820; Sabin 25138.
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