Anson, George, A Voyage Round the World, In the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV. By George Anson, Esq; Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty’s Ships Sent upon an Expedition to the South Seas. Compiled from Papers and Other Materials of the Right Honourable George Lord Anson, and Published under His Direction, by Richard Walter, M.A. Chaplain of His Majesty’s Ship the Centurion, in that Expedition.

London: Printed for the Author; by John and Paul Knapton, 1748, first edition, quarto, [33], [1] - 417, pp., 42 folding plates and maps, contemporary calf, re-backed with later leather spine, original spine label laid down. Some shelf wear, edges of several plates ruffled and slightly soiled, few tears and archival repairs, text generally clean, else very good. This is the official account of Anson’s voyage to the western coast of South America during England’s war with Spain in 1739. Anson’s squadron was sent to cut off the flow of wealth to Spain from the Pacific and harass Spanish shipping in the area. The Spanish fleet sent to oppose the British ran into storms, supply problems, many ships were wrecked. Anson took many prizes during the years of 1741-42 off the Pacific coast, and in June, 1743 captured the Manila galleon which contained a large treasure. This work enjoyed a wide readership during the eighteenth century and went through a number of editions, it was one of the most popular works of maritime adventure during the period, and is considered a masterpiece of descriptive travel.

Hill, pp. 317-318; Sabin 1626                                          $ 4000.00