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Terra Australis Cognita: or voyages to the southern hemisphere, during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries.
Containing an Account of the Manners of the People, and the Productions of the Countries, hitherto found in the Southern Latitudes; the Adventures that may result from further Discoveries on this Great Continent, and the Methods of establishing Colonies there, to the advantage of Great Britain. With a Preface by the Editor, in which some geographical, nautical and commercial Questions are discussed.
Edinburgh,
Printed for the Author; and sold by Messrs Hawes, Clark and Collins, in Pater-noster-Row,
1766-1768.
First edition, first issue. 3 volumes. Octavo (200 by 120mm), 3 folding engraved charts; contemporary tan calf, rebacked preserving the original spines.
23219
notes:
The exceptionally rare first issue, with the dedication leaf to Charles Townsend ("To the Reader" on the verso), and three large charts by Thomas Phinn after Dider Robert de Vaugondy. That of Australia being "of great interest, particularly when compared with the Tasman map of 1644. Although Van Diemen's Land is still shown as part of the mainland, New Zealand and New Guinea are already known to be separate lands and in fact the outline of Australia is complete except for t...
bibliography:
Literature: Davidson, 'A Book Collector's Notes on items relating to the Discovery of Australia, The First Settlement and the Early Coastal Exploration of the Continent', page 35; ' Hill, 'The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages', 240.
provenance:
