COXE, William.

Account of the Russian discoveries between Asia and America. To which are added, the conquest of Siberia, and the history of the transactions and commerce between Russia and China.

London, J. Nichols for T. Cadell, 1787. 8vo (205 x 130 mm), pp. [iv], xxviii, 454, [2], with four folding maps (one slightly protruding) and one plate; contemporary speckled calf; joints slightly cracked, spine a little darkened. This edition includes for the first time A comparative view of the Russian discoveries with those made by Captains Cook and Clerke; and a sketch of what remains to be ascertained by future navigators, which has its own title, errata and index leaves, but is paginated continuously with the main body of the work. ‘The author has, in this third edition, arranged the chapters in a more regular and connected manner than in the former impressions; and has subjoined a comparative view of the Russian discoveries with those made by Captains Cook and Clerke’ (‘advertisement to the third edition’). ‘As my account of the Russian discoveries, printed in 1780, contained the principal intelligence at that time known; and as, since its publication, a new light has been thrown upon that important subject by Cook and Clerke [i.e. Cook’s third voyage, 1776–80], I shall, in this chapter, compare the discoveries of the Russians with the subsequent observations of the English navigators. 1. on the coast of Asia, 2. on that of America; and 3. with respect to the New-discovered Islands’ (p. 419).A valuable contemporary history of Russian expansion eastward and into the North Pacific regions, based partly on existing narratives (mostly published in German), but also on the author’s personal knowledge gained on a visit to Russia, when he was able to ascertain the reliability of these sources and to consult two of the foremost authorities, G. F. Müller and P. S. Pallas. ‘He also succeeeded in securing additional material (for instance the narrative and maps of Krenitzin and Levashev’s “secret” expedition, the first official Russian government expedition since Bering’s second expedition of 1741). He was able to secure this particular information, not widely known at the time even in Russia, from Dr William Robertson, who in turn obtained it through his friend Dr Rogerson, first physician to Empress Catherine II’ (Lada-Mocarski). The previous editions both appeared in 1780.Cordier, Sinica 2447; Forbes 134; Hill 392; Holmes 107; Lada-Mocarski 29n.; Sabin 17309.

• GBP 3,000.00 > Andere Währungen
• Bestellnummer: T2051

• Antiquariat: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)