Description
Second edition of the Journal of a Cruise Made to the Pacific Ocean by Captain David Porter, U.S.N., published in 1822.
Octavo, [two volumes], lxxvi, 246pp; 256pp. Page 175 of Volume II misnumbered as 157. Bound in full sheepskin, rebacked. Spine decorated with gilt compartments, title in gilt on red and green morocco labels. Solid text blocks, foxing throughout, primarily reserved to endpapers. Contains seven plates between the two volumes: a frontispiece and one plate in Volume I and five plates in Volume II. Two near fine fold-out pieces in Volume I: one table of daily coordinates placing the location of the Essex and one map of the Galapagos Islands.
(Hill, 239) (Howes P484)
Hill considers this second edition to be “the best edition and only complete edition,” including Porter’s Preface defending the first edition of the journal, numerous fold out maps, and the full narrative of Porter’s experience throughout the War of 1812. This journal also served as a source piece for Herman Melville’s Typee (1846).
