- 81
Gilbert, Thomas.
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Voyage from New South Wales to Canton, in the year 1788, with views of the islands discovered. London: Printed by George Stafford for J. Debrett, 1789, half-title, 4 folding plain engraved plates, advertisement leaf at end, plates spotted (also slightly offset and creased)
- paper
White, John. Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1790, engraved title, list of subscribers, 65 hand-coloured engraved natural history plates, 4pp. advertisements at end, Hh4 in uncancelled state, title spotted, short tear in 2 plates (Tabuan parrots, pp.168-9)
2 works in one volume (White bound first), first editions, 4to (290 x 228mm.), contemporary half calf, [Ferguson 38, 97; Hill 702, 1858; Abbey, Travel 605], binding rubbed and slightly worn, rebacked retaining original spine, repaired or restored at corners
2 works in one volume (White bound first), first editions, 4to (290 x 228mm.), contemporary half calf, [Ferguson 38, 97; Hill 702, 1858; Abbey, Travel 605], binding rubbed and slightly worn, rebacked retaining original spine, repaired or restored at corners
Provenance
William Mitford, early signature; Christie's sale, 9 July 1969, lot 34 ("The property of a lady")
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Rare. John White was appointed Surgeon-General to the First Fleet under Captain Arthur Phillip in 1786, and sailed for Australia in May 1787 in the transport Charlotte, captained by Thomas Gilbert. These two works are companion volumes and "it is particularly desirable when a copy of [Gilbert's] book is discovered bound-up in one volume with a copy of White's Journal. This appears to have been the publisher's intention. Gilbert's is a scarce book and hard enough to find in separate form, let alone bound up with White" (Wantrup, Australian Rare Books). We have only been able to trace one copy bound thus since 1975 - the Longueville copy (sale in these rooms 25 June 1992, lot 103; resold Sotheby's Australia, 28 Nov. 2000, lot 7), which was also coloured. Copies with original colour are distinguished by having the engraved plates printed on Whatman wove paper, as here.
The long appendix in White's work is the first major work on the natural history of Australia (for other works on the natural history of Australia see lots 50, 52 and 62). Gilbert was contracted by the East India Company to continue to Canton accompanied by Captain Marshall in the Scarborough and return to England with a cargo of tea, thus undertaking the first trading voyage from Australia. During his voyage a number of islands were discovered, notably the Gilbert and Marshall islands.