A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean.

FIRST EDITION, 5 volumes, 28 engraved maps (16 folding), and 13 engraved plates, 4to (300 x 235mm), full polished calf gilt, spines gilt in compartments, London Printed by Luke Hansard, and sold by G. and W. Nicol. 1803-1817

“The most important general history of early South Sea discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them, by Captain Burney, who was a great authority on the subject. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not herin collected. Burney accompanied Captain Cook on his second and third voyages. His access to the London literary world served to enhance the style of his great work, in which he carried the story of Pacific discovery from its beginnings through the period just prior to Cook’s first voyage” (Hill).

Admiral James Burney (1750-1812), son of Dr. Charles Burney, the historian of music and the brother of diarist and novelist Fanny Burney, was originally an officer in the Royal Navy and his various written work displays “a rare union of nautical science and literary research”. Burney received encouragement from Sir Joseph Banks and enjoyed free access both to Banks’s magnificent library of books and manuscripts, and to Dalrymple’s collection of scarcer Spanish books. Whenever possible, he relied on manuscript accounts, generally comparing them with printed narratives for purposes of style., “Burney entered the navy in 1764, and having served on the coast of North America and in the Mediterranean, sailed with Captain Cook in his second voyage, 1772-4, during which time he was promoted to be lieutenant. In 1775 he was in the Cerberus on the North American station, and was recalled to sail again under Cook in his third voyage. Consequently, on the deaths of Cook and Clerke, he came home in command of the Discovery, and was confirmed as commander on 2 Oct. 1780. In 1803 he began the publication of “A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean”, it is well known as the standard work on the subject” (D.N.B.).

Ferguson, 372; Hill, pp. 40-41; Hocken, pp. 30-34; O’Reilly-Reitman, 104; Sabin, 9387