Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in Northwest and Western Australia during the Years 1837, 1838 and 1839 by Grey, George - 1841

London: T&W Boone, 1841. First edition. Hardcover. Very good - condition. A fine large paper copy of these important expeditions of discovery to the north-west of Western Australia. "Both the journeys of exploration described in these volumes were undertaken for the Royal Geographical Society. They met with disasters. The first expedition landed near Hanover Bay, and made the discovery of a river and much useful territory. In a skirmish with the natives Grey was badly wounded by a spear and was forced to abandon the expedition. He killed his attacker and was to suffer from both the wound, a hole big enough to fit a child' hand, and the killing for the rest of his life. The second journey was for the exploration of the west coast, north and south of Shark's Bay. The Gascoyne River was discovered, but a hurricane damaged their stores, their boats were wrecked and the party had to set off for an overland tramp of three hundred miles to Perth. (Ferguson). He shot the aborigine who speared him and was to suffer from both the wound (a hole big enough to fit a child's hand), and the killing for the rest of his life.

The production of Grey's volumes was of very high quality. The color illustrations of aboriginal cave paintings are haunting; the maps are by John Arrowsmith, the master of English cartography in that period; John Gould, the father of Australian ornithology, contributed appendices on birds.

This is primary issue with all the advertisements listed in Ferguson. Much natural history, ethnographical & anthropological information is included.

2 vols, tall 8vo, vol.1, (xiv) 412pp, [iv], 8pp ads; pocket with two fine large folding maps "District of Glenelg, on the North-Western Coast of Australia" and "The West Coast of Australia, from Swan River to Sharks Bay", both with routes marked in red ink by hand and by John Arrowsmith.

Vol. 2, (viii) 482pp, 8pp, [iv] ads. In total, 22 plates, 6 of which are printed in color and/or are handcolored. Ferguson calls for all 6pp advertisements to be in Vol 1; here they are split between the two volumes. A blind stamp on the dusty title pages, "English College Lisbon", some light scattered fox spotting.

Attractive modern tan half calf and green marbled boards, red gilt title labels. Pages full sized and untrimmed.

Bagnall, 2336; Ferguson 3228.