SHEVLOCKE, George. A Voyage round the World by the Way of the Great South Sea, performed in the years 1719, 20, 21, 22, in the Speedwell of London, London: J. Senex [and others], 1726, 8°, FIRST EDITION, title with engraved vignette by I. Pine, folding engraved map, 4 engraved plates by Pine, one folding (a few stains to upper margin of map, upper outer corner of first few leaves slightly nibbled at and lightly dampstained, some marginal underlining and light worming), contemporary calf (front cover detached). [Cox I, p. 47; Sabin 80158]

Details

SHEVLOCKE, George. A Voyage round the World by the Way of the Great South Sea, performed in the years 1719, 20, 21, 22, in the Speedwell of London, London: J. Senex [and others], 1726, 8°, FIRST EDITION, title with engraved vignette by I. Pine, folding engraved map, 4 engraved plates by Pine, one folding (a few stains to upper margin of map, upper outer corner of first few leaves slightly nibbled at and lightly dampstained, some marginal underlining and light worming), contemporary calf (front cover detached). [Cox I, p. 47; Sabin 80158]

Provenance

B. Grey, ownership inscription to free endpaper and bookplate.

Lot Essay

"Shevlocke sailed under a privateer's commission, but his activities were more those of a pirate; he was afterwards charged with piracy but got off on technical grounds and fled the country. ... His account is an apology for his conduct in consequence of a lawsuit started against him by the proprietors. The issue of this voyage gave the public a bad idea of all expeditions to the South Sea. ... The connection of this Voyage with Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner" is well known. ... It has also been pointed out that in this work is the first printed intimation of gold in Carlifornia." (Cox)

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