Voyage autour du monde, fait dans les années MDCCXL,I,II,III,IV.... publié Par Richard Walter... Trad. de l' anglois...

Article description

4to. Contemporary calf. 4 leaves, XIV pp., 330 pp., engraved title-vignette, coat of arms and 3 engraved vignettes in text (1 by Ingram after Cochin, 1 by Schenk), 35 (of which 33 are folded) engravings and maps, mostly by de Bakker and Marstaller. Illustrated with a large folded world map by Bellin (published in this edition for the first time), 1 folded map of the Philippines, maps and views of Feuerland, the Robinson-Crusoe Island Juan Fernandes, scenes of ships, etc. 'This famous and unfortunate expedition, consisting at the start of eight ships, was sent under the command of George Anson at the beginning of the war with Spain, to harass the Spaniards on the western coast of South America. Seven ships were lost around Cape Horn and on the coast of Chili and out of 900 men who left England on board more than 600 perished. As usual scurvy took an appealling toll. The primary object of the expedition was not attained, but by the capture of the Manila Galleon near China, Anson and the surviving members of his crew reached England much the richer. As with many a ship before and after, the island of Juan Fernandez proved a blessing in restoring scurvy-stricken men to health... Walter's account of the voyage is a model of what such literature should be' (Cox). The story is based on Anson's journal and was enormous popular. Anson's mission was to go after Spanish ships along the west coast of South America during the years 1740-43. For the reader in that time it was the epitome of adventure and it was translated into several European languages. The book stayed in print and was published in numerous editions for several years. The text was compiled by Richard Walter, the chaplain on board of the Centurion, according to Anson's papers and official logs. One of the most popular books of maritime adventure of the eighteenth century.

Cox I, 49; Bosch 199; Brunet I, 304; compare Borba de Moraes p.38; Sabin 1625.