4 volumes, comprising: text, 3 volumes, 4to (295 x 233 mm); atlas, folio (517 x 425 mm). Text: half-titles in vols. II and III, 18 engraved plates and maps; atlas: 16 engraved maps and profiles (10 folding). (Some spotting to text, plates, and profiles). Contemporary blind-stamped calf, later rebacking (worn, some damage, a few covers detached or detaching.) Provenance: John Waldie (1833-1907), Canadian politician and lumber baron (armorial bookplate); bookplate. 

FIRST EDITION of Vancouver's voyage, "one of the most important ever made in the interests of geographical knowledge" (Hill). 

After serving on Cook's second and third voyages, Vancouver was made commander of a grand-scale expedition to establish Britain's territorial rights in the Pacific North West following the Nootka Convention at Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island in 1790. His orders were also to examine thoroughly the coast south of 60° in order to find a possible passage to the Atlantic. Over the course of three seasons, he surveyed the coast of California (visiting San Francisco and San Diego), met with the Spanish at Nootka, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver island, and proved that no passage existed between the Pacific and Hudson's Bay. He died in 1798, and his narrative was completed by his brother and by Peter Puget. Hill notes that Vancouver undertook his surveys "with a thoroughness rarely equalled in the history of maritime exploration...completing the most arduous survey that it had fallen any navigator to undertake." Forbes 298; Hill 1753; Howes V-23c; Lada-Mocarski 55; Sabin 98443; Streeter sale 3487.