Description:
Ellis, William Wade (1751-1785) An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke. London: for Robinson, Sewell, and Debrett, 1783. Second edition, published one year after the first, two octavo volumes, illustrated with a folding map and twenty-one plates; bound in uniform contemporary calf, rebacked; boards rubbed, contemporary signatures on titles, minor scattered foxing, light dampstaining to the last leaves of volume two, 8 1/4 x 5 in. (2)
Ellis's account of Cook's voyages was published two years before Cook's own work. These works came out in contravention of instructions from the Admiralty to surrender his journals and logs. "The fine plates are among the earliest published on the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, and the Northwest." (Quoted from The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages at the University of California, San Diego, New Haven & Sydney: William Reese Company & Hordern House, Ltd., 2004.)
Provenance: The Estate of David Spinney.
Estimate $800-1,000
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
William Wade, Cook, Clerke, David Spinney, Islands, London, SydneyJohn Dorfman
Director, Books & Manuscripts
508-970-3293
Fine Books & Manuscripts
The Fine Books & Manuscripts department delivers scholarship, expertise, and attention to detail in appraisals, evaluations, and auctions of rare books and historically important material ranging from medieval manuscripts to presidential documents.