Lot 1056: PARKINSON, SYDNEY. c.1745-1771. A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty's Ship, the Endeavour. London: for Stanfield Parkinson, 1773.

A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty's Ship, the Endeavour. London: for Stanfield Parkinson, 1773. xxiii, [1], 212, [2] pp. Engraved frontispiece and 27 full-page plates. 4to (335 x 260 mm). Modern full calf. Offset from some plates, several leaves and plates spotted, small stain to gutter margin at tail in final 2 signatures, otherwise excellent.

First edition of the best personal account of Cook's first voyage. Sydney Parkinson was draughtsman to Joseph Banks on Cook's Endeavour voyage; he died in Batavia on the homeward journey. The present work, edited and published by Parkinson's brother, infringed on John Hawkesworth's rights regarding the official account of the voyage and Hawkesworth obtained an injunction in Chancery to stop it. Parkinson's account of the newly discovered peoples and lands is more intimate than those of either Hawkesworth or John Banks. Hill pp 223-4; Holmes 7; Sabin 58787.
Provenance: stamped: "J * E" on the title-page.
See illustration.