A Voyage Round the World; but more Particularly to the Northwest Coast of America: Performed in 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788,; in the King George and Queen Charlotte, Captains Portlock and Dixon | Dedicated, by permission, to Sir Joseph Banks, Bart

London: George Goulding, 1789. First Edition. Very Good. 4to [11.25x9in]; xxix, [2] errata, directions for the binder, 360 pp., 47 pp. Appendix No. II, five folding maps including frontispiece, 17 uncolored illustrations (three folding); Quarter vellum with marble paper on thick boards with gilt lettering on black leather label and rule designs on spine, all edges trimmed, light blue ribbon marker; Some shelf wear to covers, corners and edges with age toning and some soiling to vellum and minor to covers, corners bumped, age toning to edges of text, some offset shadows from plates, and text, several plates darken with light spotting, top edge of text block darken, maps have typical closed tears at hinge and several crease lines and offset shadows from folds, contemporary armorial bookplate on verso of title page [unknown owner]. [Hill 118, Howes D365, Lada-Mocarski 43, Wickersham 6574, Wagner NW 732-35, Reese BOW 16] CS. George Dixon (1748-1795) was a Naval Officer and fur trader. He sailed with James Cook as a petty officer on Cook's third voyage to the Pacific Northwest in 1776 to 1780. On his return he commanded 1789 various merchant ships. In May, 1785, the King George's Sound Company hired Nathaniel Portlock to lead and command the 'King George' in a expedition to develop the fur trade on North America's northwest coast. Dixon was appointed to command the 'Queen Charlotte' under Portlock. Both Dixon and Portlock issued books with the same title and date of 1789 with different publishers, narratives, plates and maps. This first edition was issued in two formats of large or regular paper and colored/uncolored plates.

From Hill, "This account consists primarily of a collection of 49 letters signed 'W.B." (William Beresford) to his friend Hamlen, written while Beresford traveled as supercargo aboard the Queen Charlotte, under Captain George Dixon. Beresford dedicated his writings to Sir Joseph Banks. The letters were edited by Dixon, who added an introduction and two significant appendices ..., as well as the important maps. Dixon's voyage is important as a supplement to Captain Cook and for its contributions to the natural history of the Pacific Northwest."

This book was from the library of the late Dr. G. Warren Smith of Pennsylvania. He had a long career as university professor and administrator, and was a collector of over 6,000 books, maps, illustrations, and artifacts relating to the Arctic, Alaska and Pacific Northwest. (Inventory #: 13966)