Item #114088 Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c. George GREY.
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c
Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c

Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39 ... Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important, and Fertile Districts, with Observations on the Moral and Physical Condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants, &c. &c

London, T. & W. Boone, 1841.

Octavo, two volumes, 4 ('Opinions of the press'), [ii] (advertisements), 412, 16 (advertisements) pages; and 4 (advertisements), viii, 482 pages with numerous in-text illustrations plus 2 folding Arrowsmith maps (with the track on the expedition in red) in an endpocket, and a total of 22 lithographed plates (6 in colour, many from sketches by Grey).

In the primary binding of diaper-grain brown cloth, elaborately stamped in gilt and blind (here expertly re-backed in matching cloth, retaining the original backstrips); covers lightly faded (mainly on the spines) and a little marked, bumped and rubbed; plates and adjacent leaves foxed; one map expertly dissected into 21 panels, mounted on linen, and folded to fit inside the endpocket; the second map has a couple of tiny splits expertly sealed; some uncut edges opened a little carelessly in places, with associated small marginal chips and tears; minor signs of use and age, but overall in very good condition.

Despite failing to achieve their stated objectives, Grey's two expeditions nevertheless resulted in important discoveries relating to the topography, natural history and Aboriginal people of the north-west of Australia. He was the first European to see the striking Wandjina rock art figures of the Kimberley (his sketches are reproduced here in five chromolithographed plates), and discovered and named the Glenelg River, Stephen Range, Mount Lyell, and the Gascoyne River. The important appendices relating to natural history include contributions from John Gould and John Edward Gray. The numerous leaves of publisher's advertisements contain information on other important works relating to the inland exploration of Australia published by T. & W. Boone, and for John Gould's 'The Birds of Australia'.

Grey would later serve as Governor of South Australia, New Zealand and Cape Colony, and as Premier of New Zealand.

With the armorial bookplate of Cecil George Savile Foljambe, 1st Earl of Liverpool, and an old ink ownership signature (possibly S.J. Milton) in each volume.

Wantrup 131 (calling in error for only 19 plates). [2 items].

Item #114088

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