Lot 84: MEARES, JOHN. 1756?-1809. Voyages Made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the N.W. Coast of America ... to Which Are Annexed, Observations on the Probably Existence of a North West Passage. And Some Accountof the Trade between the North West

MEARES, JOHN. 1756?-1809.
Voyages Made in the Years 1788 and 1789, from China to the N.W. Coast of America ... to Which Are Annexed, Observations on the Probably Existence of a North West Passage. And Some Accountof the Trade between the North West Coast of America and China; and the Latter Country and Great Britain. London: Printed at the Logographic Press, 1791.
2 volumes. 8vo (234 x 150 mm). xii, lxxii, 363; [iv], 332, [63] pp. Stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Meares, 9 engraved folding maps and plans, 4 engraved plates, 2 of which are folding, 3 with aquatint. Original paper-backed boards. Uncut, some toning and occasional light foxing, offset from plates, 2 leaves in 2nd volume with closed tear, spines perished, tape residue to boards near spine.
Provenance: Allen L. Chickering (bookplate).

FIRST OCTAVO EDITION. "One of the early and fundamental books on the Northwest coast of America in general and on Alaska in particular" (Lada-Mocarski). Meares' pioneering voyages to the Northwest coast provided the basis for Britain's claims to Oregon. The treaty which followed the seizure of Meares' ships in Nootka Sound required Spain's forfeiture of claims to territory north of California. Includes a full account of the Northwest American Indians describing their villages, languages, manners and customs. Abbey Travel 594 (note); Forbes 212; Graff 2734 (first edition); Hill pp.195-6 (first edition); Howes M 469; Lada-Mocarski 46 (first edition); Sabin 47261.