BURNEY, James (1750-1821). A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. London: Printed by Luke Hansard for G. and W. Nicol, 1803-17.

A fine first edition copy of “the most important general history of early South Sea discoveries” before those of James Cook (Hill). The author was the commander of the Discovery who brought the ship home after Cook’s death in 1779. Voyages related are those of the earliest Europeans to Francis Drake in 1579 (vol. 1), with a separate “History of the Buccaneers of America” in vol. 4, and those completed to 1764 in vol. 5. Burney became a great authority on maritime history, having served the whole of his professional life in the Navy and on Cook's second and third voyages. Through his access to the London literary world, he collected the voyages for this work and wrote important remarks on them that a contemporary review called “a masterly digest of the voyages to the South Sea, displaying a rare union of nautical science and literary research.” Cox II, p. 497; Howes B-1002; Hill 221; Sabin 9387.

Five volumes, quarto (301 x 237mm). 28 engraved maps, 17 folding, and 13 engraved plates, one folding, with 6 in-text woodcuts (minor toning and soiling to edges, a few spots). Modern half morocco over marbled boards, spines gilt in compartments.