Russia
COXE, William.
Account of the Russian Discoveries between Asia and America. To which Are Added, the Conquest of Siberia, and the History of the Transactions and Commerce between Russia and China.
J. Nichols for T. Cadell, London, 1780. 4to (27.3 x 21.6 cm). 4 engraved folding maps by T. Kitchin and one engraved folding plate by I. Cheevers; occasional slight offsetting. Modern polished half calf over marbled boards, spine with 5 raised bands, one dark red and one dark blue morocco labels lettered in gilt, marbled edges. Provenance: Frank S. Streeter (booklabel on upper pastedown).
Fine copy of the first English edition of this early Russian monograph on China and Asian exploration. Coxe endeavoured to collect the journals of the several voyages relating to the area subsequent to Bering's 1741 expedition with which Gerhard Müller had concluded his account of the first Russian navigations. 'He also succeeded in securing additional material: for instance the narrative & maps of Krenitzin and Levashev"s "secret" expedition, the first official Russian government expedition since Bering's second expedtion of 1741. He was able to secure this particular information, not widely known at the time even in Russia, from Dr. Wm. Robertson, who in turn obtained it through his friend Dr. Rogerson, first physician to the Empress Catherine II." (Lada-Mocarski 29). This work includes the main Russian discoveries made in northwestern America in their attempts to open communications with Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The work contains also valuable information on the fur trade between Russia and China: 'an interesting work, not merely from the particular subject which the title indicates, but also on account of the sketch it contains, concerning the conquest of Siberia and of the Russian commerce with China.' (Lowndes). Brunet II, 399; Cordier Sinica 2447; Hill 391; Lada-Mocarski 29; Sabin 17309.
Price: £ 1850
US Dollar Price: $ 2690
Stock Number: 75175