Details
THOMAS FALKNER (1707-1784)
A Description of Patagonia, and the Adjoining Parts of South America: containing an account of the soil, produce, animals, vales, mountains, rivers, lakes, &c. of those countries: the religion, government, policy, customs, dress, arms, and language of the Indian inhabitants; and some particulars relating to Falkland's Islands. By Thomas Falkner, who resided near forty years in those parts. Hereford: C. Pugh for T. Lewis, 1774. 4° (256 x 203mm.) 2 folding engraved maps by Thomas Kitchin. (Clean tears to both). Contemporary reversed calf, red morocco lettering-piece on spine (joints slightly split, foot of spine chipped).
PROVENANCE:
Fitzherbert Brockholes (armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, fine copy. Having trained as a doctor/surgeon under Richard Mead, Falkner converted to Catholicism and served as a Jesuit missionary for 38 years in South America, mostly in Patagonia. He returned in England in 1768 after the expulsion of the Jesuits from South America. The present work was compiled from his experiences and forms 'a valuable record of observations in a hitherto comparatively unknown country' (DNB). Spence 451.
A Description of Patagonia, and the Adjoining Parts of South America: containing an account of the soil, produce, animals, vales, mountains, rivers, lakes, &c. of those countries: the religion, government, policy, customs, dress, arms, and language of the Indian inhabitants; and some particulars relating to Falkland's Islands. By Thomas Falkner, who resided near forty years in those parts. Hereford: C. Pugh for T. Lewis, 1774. 4° (256 x 203mm.) 2 folding engraved maps by Thomas Kitchin. (Clean tears to both). Contemporary reversed calf, red morocco lettering-piece on spine (joints slightly split, foot of spine chipped).
PROVENANCE:
Fitzherbert Brockholes (armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, fine copy. Having trained as a doctor/surgeon under Richard Mead, Falkner converted to Catholicism and served as a Jesuit missionary for 38 years in South America, mostly in Patagonia. He returned in England in 1768 after the expulsion of the Jesuits from South America. The present work was compiled from his experiences and forms 'a valuable record of observations in a hitherto comparatively unknown country' (DNB). Spence 451.
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