A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas in His Majesty's Ship The Endeavour. Faithfully transcribed from the Papers of the late Sydney Parkinson Draughtsman to Joseph Banks Esq. on his late Expedition with Dr Solander round the World. ...

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

London: Printed for Stanfield Parkinson the Editor 1773. Large 4to. Contemp. half calf over cloth boards. Spine with contrasting morocco titling-label. (xxiv 212 2 pp.). Embellished with engrv. portrait and 27 full-page engrv. plates. 1st ed. A good complete copy with some offsetting and foxing of the plates. Holmes 7; Beddie 712. NOTE: This book is often referred to as 'the handsomest voyage book of the 18th century' its importance to Australia's discovery cannot be overstated as Parkinson had been engaged by Sir Joseph Banks as natural history artist on Cook's celebrated first voyage in The Endeavour. He was the first natural history artist to set foot on Australian soil and his journal records the first published use of the word Kangooroo (as "Kangaroo" pp.149).