4to (262 x 210 mm). 2 engraved plates, 2 engraved maps (one folding); 5 folding letterpress tables, numerous in-text tables (spotting to a few leaves). Contemporary calf (rebacked, preserving original spine and lettering-pieces). Provenance: John W. Robertson (signature dated 1926 on contents leaf); collector's bookplate, a few pencil marks.

FIRST EDITION, including the "Tracts on the Possibility of Reaching the North Pole," and a description of the important Spanish account by Don Francisco Antonio Maurelle: "Journal of a Voyage in 1775, to explore the coast of America, northward of California." "The Spaniards (and not they alone) were particularly secretive about any discoveries made by them in North America, and did not, of course, publish the journal herein described. Daines Barrington, however, secured a copy of the original manuscript of this journal and translated it into English, with certain omissions... [This Journal] is the only contemporary account in English of this Spanish sea voyage" (Lada-Mocarski). The map accompanying this narrative, depicting the Pacific Coast from Cape Corrientes in Mexico to Cape St. Elias in Alaska, was drawn by Barrington. Cox II:25; Hill 56; Howes B-177; Lada-Mocarski 34; Sabin 3628 and 46951; Streeter Sale IV:2445; Wickersham 6653.