Narrative of a Voyage Round the World, Performed in Her Majesty's Ship Sulphur, During the Years 1836-1842, Including Detai

By Captain Sir Edward Belcher

London, Henry Colburn, 1843. First Edition. 2 vols. 8vo. [xxii], 387pp., [vi], 474pp., 16pp. of publisher’s adverstisements at end of Volume I and dated February 1843, Index at end of Volume II. Original publisher’s blind stamp decorative blue/green cloth with gilt titling on spines. Three folding maps in Vol. I front pocket: of the Canton river, folding map with the tracks of the H.M.S. Sulphur and large world chart also showing the course of the Sulphur; 19 steel engravings with views on Panama (2), on Honolulu, Mount Elias, Sitka at New Archangel, the volcano of Consequina, Fort George at Astoria, Port Anna Maria, attack on the war junks, Thoka-nauta or Phillips, natives of Port Victoria, native of New Guinea, bow of a state canoe, Prahu of Geby, native of Celebes, native women of Celebes, attacks on first bar battery, Chinese soldiers with gingals, Chinese soldiers at great guns and several illustrations in text. Rough cut edges on all sides, all tissue guards present, original spines, professionally rebacked with strengthened hinges and original enspapers, prior owner’s private label inside front boards, mild foxing in but a few places - a clean set internally considering age and quality of paper in 1843. A Rare and complete two volume set. Sabin 4390; Howes B 318; Hill, p.20.

First edition of a most important account of the circumnavigation by Captain Sir Edward Belcher (1799—1877), commander of HMS “Sulphur,” during the years 1836—1842. Belcher was ordered to start his voyage at the Pacific coast of South America and follow the Trans Pacific route to England. During the voyage Belcher visited several islands such as the Solomon Islands, the Hawaiian islands, the Society islands, the Tonga Islands, the New Hebrides, New Guinea etc. Also various harbors along the coast of California and northwest to Arctic Alaska were surveyed. The Sulphur began its voyage under the command of Captain Frederick William Beechey, but he became ill at Valparaiso in Chile, and Belcher came on board at Panama and was in command for the rest of the expedition. These volumes are not only a detailed account of this significant voyage, but also a detail documentation of cultures encountered along with natural history.