This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2025
SHILLIBEER, Lieut. J. (1786-1841). A Narrative of The Briton's Voyage, to Pitcairn's Island. Taunton: Printed for the Author by J. W. Marriott, 1817. 8vo. Complete with all 16 etchings, one in bisque (despite the claim of eighteen etchings on the title-page). [x], [1]-179, [1, Directions to the Binder - listing only 16 plates] pp. Bound to style in later half mottled calf over marbled boards, black gilt morocco lettering label on spine, later endleaves (binding worn, spine lightly chipped, text lightly toned, foxed, fore-edges of text worn and somewhat chipped, the first three text leaves inserted, p. III restored at inner corner, p. 1 restored at upper corner, a few tears to leaves or plates). Good. THE RARE FIRST EDITION. After reaching Rio de Janeiro, Shillibeer was “ordered into the Pacific to search for the American frigate Essex, then threatening British whalers." (Hill). Along the way, they visited the Galapagos, the Marquesas, and the Juan Fernandez islands. When The Briton reached Pitcairn Island, the crew spoke to various natives, who discussed the well-known mutiny of the H. M. S. Bounty; Shillibeer also includes a fellow officer's memoirs of meeting John Adams, the final survivor of the Bounty mutineers. Hill 1563.