[TRAVELS AND VOYAGES]. VANCOUVER, Captain George (1757-1798). A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World; In which the Coast of North-West America has been carefully examined and accurately surveyed? London: John Stockdale, 1801. 8vos. Illustrated with large folding map, ?A Chart shewing part of the Coast of N. W. America?" a folding chart " ?shewing the S. W. Coast of New Holland?" and 17 folding engraved plates. Six volumes. Publisher's ad leaf at the rear of volume VI. Approximately 8 ? x 5"; large folding map approximately 30 ? x 23 ?". Volumes bound in near contemporary full brown calf, spines ruled and numbered in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, red gilt morocco lettering label on each spine, all edges gilt (front board and ffep. of volume I detached yet present, bindings generally worn, soiled, some occasional offsetting from plates in volumes, light foxing to plates, chart with a few marginal tears, the large folding map is separated from the set, backed on linen and board, with most of the folds neatly torn and with some occasional soiling). Large map now cased in later brown cloth slipcase. Very good.THE RARE FIRST OCTAVO EDITION, THE SECOND ENGLISH EDITION OVERALL. ??one of the most important accounts of the exploration of the Pacific Northwest and New Zealand, and valuable source information about Tahiti and the Hawaiian Islands in the last decade of the eighteenth century. Cowan considered the account to be superior to any of its kind and the chief authority on the areas explored during this period.?Vancouver?was an extraordinarily capable explorer, having sailed with Cook on the second and third?voyages and served under Rodney and Alan Gardner. It was Gardner who recommended him for a?voyage?in search for a northwest passage to the Great Lakes ...?Vancouver?died on May 10, 1798, his brother John completing the task of preparing and editing the narrative. Among the important features of the narrative are the engraved views ... of the Mission of San Carlos and the Presidio of Monterey, probably the first published views of California. It is possible that the artist sailing with La Perouse, who visited Monterey in 1786, drew a sketch of the Mission, but no views of California scenery appear in the La Perouse atlas." (Streeter).?Sabin 98441. Streeter 3497. Howes V23. Measurements: 10"L x 9"W x 12"H.