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Three volumes. [iii]-xv,[2],358pp. plus four color plates including frontispiece, and two folding maps; [2],433,[1]pp. plus three color plates including frontispiece, and three maps (two folding); [2],442pp. plus two plates (including color frontispiece) and two maps. Contemporary calf, neatly rebacked with original gilt spines preserved, leather labels. Small scuff to lower portion of spine of first volume. Modern bookplate to each front pastedown. Internally clean. Very good. The first English edition, after the original German edition of the same year, of one of the great Pacific exploration accounts, being the record of the second Russian scientific expedition and the first under the command of Kotzebue, with the sponsorship of Count Romanzoff. The expedition rounded Cape Horn and visited Chile, Easter Island, the Marshall Islands, Hawaii, and the North American coast, in an unsuccessful search for a northwest passage. There is also a detailed description of California, notable for including the first scientific account of the state flower, the Golden Poppy. The account of Albert von Chamisso, the expedition naturalist, includes important information about flora and fauna, as well as the Indians and the work of the missionaries. There is also a table of comparative vocabulary for the languages of some of the islanders. The handsome color plates illustrate native royalty and lifestyles, icebergs in Kotzebue Sound, and Royal Morai off Owyhee. HILL 944. STREETER SALE 3512. HOWES K258, "b." SABIN 38291. ABBEY 596. ZAMORANO 80, 48. FORBES 528. REESE, BEST OF THE WEST 43 (note). Seller Inventory # WRCAM32850
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