John Green (ed.) | A New General Collection of Voyages and Travels, London, 1745-1747, 4 volumes, contemporary calf

J. Green (ed.)

A New General Collection of Voyages and Travels consisting of the most esteemed relations which have hitherto been published in any language, comprehending every thing remarkable in its kind in Europe, Asia, Africa and America... London: for Thomas Astley, 1745-47

FIRST EDITION, 4 volumes, large 4to (261 x 201mm), 228 engraved maps and plates and four engraved frontispieces (as called for by Sabin), contemporary calf gilt, spines with raised bands in 6 compartments, calf label in the second, the rest gilt, covers with gilt borders, occasional browning to plates, 10cm closed tear to Plate XLII in vol. III, 7cm triangular closed tear to frontispiece of vol. IV, two 4cm triangular tears to pages 1 and 3, one affecting text, extremities rubbed, joints slightly cracked

Although this extensive collection was edited by John Green, it is generally known as Astley's Voyages and Travels after its publisher. Included are the voyages of George Roberts to Bermuda (1721); Atkins to Guinea, Brazil and the West Indies (1721); Smith to Guinea (1726); also the early European settlements in southern Africa, as well as an abridged English translation of du Halde's account of China. One of the best illustrated works of its kind, Astley may claim to be the Hakluyt of the eighteenth century.

PROVENANCE:

"Richard Harington | Merton Oxfordshire 1746", ownership inscription to front free endpaper; Viscount Ashbrook of Castle Durrow, County Kilkenny, bookplates

LITERATURE:

Sabin 28539