A New And Authentic System Of Universal Geography, Antient And Modern: All the late important discoveries made by the English... by BANKES, Thomas

London: Printed for C. Cooke, No.17, Pater-Noster-Row, and sold by the booksellers... no date - (c. 1788-89). . 0. "One of the most imposing books is Thomas Bankes, Edward Warren Blake, and Alexander Cook's A New Royal Authentic and Complete System of Universal Geography (hereafter Thomas Bankes's). A massive folio volume of 990 double-columned pages, this was a popular work, running to six editions in the ten years from 1787 to 1797. This is the First edition, well bound in brown half calf, complete with all engravings and maps. Folio. pp.900/[6pp.] . A very good half calf binding: Brown leather spine and corners over brown linen covered boards. Spine with 6 raised bands and brown leather title label: "Bankes' Geography". Modern brown endpapers (handmade paper). Clear English text throughout. Engraved frontis carefully strengthened around the edges. Most of the folding maps show signs of wear and creasing and have been carefully strengthened along the folds with archival standard repair tape. Light water staining to some engravings at the rear. Otherwise all text and engravings in very good condition, with just the odd small blemish, missing corner, or edge tear. From all accounts very rare to find a complete first edition. ** Referenced by: ESTC N42049. ***An excellent paper published by the State Library, Victoria: La Trobe Journal (No. 8 October 1971) identifies this edition as a true first edition. The 'New & Accurate Chart of the Western or Atlantic Ocean' is signed 'Thos. Bowen 1788'. There is, the inclusion of the abstract of Keate's Pelew Islands in the Supplement [in later editions it is included in 'New Discoveries']. Bankes concludes the Supplement with some paragraphs, the details of which indicate that they were written about August 1788. Also; Cut. No. 90, the last listed in the Directions to the Binder, bears the legend 'Published as the Act directs by C. Cooke No. 17 Paternoster Row, Oct. 31. 1788'. From this, then, it would seem that this edition was published in sections in the period between early 1787 and October 1788, with the plates being the last section issued; and the wording of the Directions to the Binder and of the note at the conclusion of the List of Subscribers supports this view. Collation is as follows: Frontispiece (Neptune raising Captn. Cook up to Immortality); Titlepage; Verso (blank); (1)-(2) His Majesty's Royal Licence and Authority (for publication); (3)-(4) Preface; (5)-106 Book I, New Discoveries; (107)-314 Book II, Asia; (315)-460 Book III, Africa; (461)-576 Book ;IV, America; (577)-944 Book V, Europe; 944-947 Supplement; 947-948 Origin and Progress of the Art of Navigation; (949)-953 A General Table of Coins; (954)-959 A New Geographical Table; (960) The Superficial Contents of the Globe; (961)-980 A Guide to Geography; (981)-990 Index; + 2 pp. ;Directions to the Binder; + 4 pp. A List of Subscribers; 90 plates (including the frontispiece) ; 10 full-page maps; 12 double-page/folding maps. **** Full title reads: "A new and authentic system of universal geography, antient and modern : All the late important discoveries made by the English, and other celebrated navigator of various nations, in the different hemispheres, from the celebrated Columbus, the first discoverer of America, to the death of our no less celebrated contryman Captain Cook, &c. and containing a genuine history and description whole world, as consisting of empires, kingdoms, states, republics, provinces, continents, Islands, oceans, &c. with the various countries, cities, towns, promotories, capes, bays, peninsulas, isthmusses, gulphs, rivers, harbours, lakes, mountains, volcanos, deserts, &c. Europe Asia, Africa, and America: together with their respective situations, extent, latitude, longitude, boundaries, climate, soil, natural and artificial curiosities, mines, metals, minerals, trees, shrubs, fruits, flowers, herbs, and vegetable productions. With an account of the religion, laws, customs, manners, genius, habits amusements, and ceremonies of the respective inhabitants: their arts, sciences, manufactures, trade, commerce, military and civil governments, &c. also exact descriptions of the various kinds of beasts, birds, fishes, amphibious creatures, reptiles, infects, &c. together with a complete history of every empire, kingdom, and state. Also an account of the most remarkable battles, sieges, sea-fights, and various revolutions that have taken place in different parts of the world. The whole forming an authentic and entertaining account every thing worthy of notice throughout the whole face of nature, both by land and water. In which is introduced, to illustrate the work, a considerable number of the most accurate whole sheet maps, forming a complete atlas. To which is added a complete guide to geography, astronomy the use of the globes, maps, &c. with an account of the rise, progress, and present state, of navigation, throughout the known world. Likewise containing every important, interesting, and valuable discovery throughout the whole of Captain Cook's voyages round the world. Together with those of the modern circumnavigators, particularly byron, carteret, wallis, clerke, gore, King, forrest, and Wilson. Also containing a particular account of the Pelew Islands. And the latest accounts of the English colony of botany bay: with a particular description of Port Jackson, Norfolk Island, &c. where the convicts are now settled. The whole forming a complete collection of voyages and travels. By the Rev. Thomas Bankes, vicar of dixton, in monmouthshire and author of the christian's family Bible. Edward Warren Blake, Esq. Alexander Cook, Esq. and Thomas Lloyd. Embellished with near two hundred beautiful engravings, consisting, of views, antiquities, customs, ceremonies, &c. together with whole sheet maps, plans, charts, &c. executed in a much superior stile than any work of the like kind that has ever appeared in this kingdom.". .