An Account of Two Voyages to New England by JOSSELYN, John (circa 1608-1704) - 1674

London: Printed for Giles Widdows, 1674. 16mo. (5 5/8 x 3 3/8 inches). [8],215, [1], [8], 227-279,[3] pp (with errors in pagination as issued). License leaf with woodcut printer's device preceding the title (often lacking), errata leaf following the dedication and 3pp. advertisements in the rear. Small paper flaw to S2 with loss to a few letters. Eighteenth century calf, covers bordered with a gilt rule, spine in six compartments with raised bands, green morocco lettering piece in the second compartment, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt, combed marbled endpapers First edition of a scarce 17th-century description of New England, including valuable observations on the natural history of the region: "the earliest work on the Natural History of New England" (Rich). Josselyn visited America in 1638-39, and again from 1663 to 1671. Though parts of his history are based on inaccurate references, the book is renowned for its first-hand observations of the natural history of New England and the description of the situation with the Indians prior to King Philip's War in 1675. Josselyn's work includes an herbal, with numerous botanical, as well as medical and surgical descriptions and is considered the "first complete description of the flora and fauna of the Middle Atlantic and New England States" (Winsor). The cranberry, wild turkey, blueberry and other northeastern species are fully described here for the first time. Besides its treatment of New England, the work is of considerable value for its fine contemporary English account of New Netherland, i.e. New York. The work also deals with the practicalities and provisions necessary for the long sea-voyage. It contains as well a catalogue of tools and supplies essential to begin a new life in the colonies. Church 627; European Americana 674/105; Field 780; Howes J254; Jones 129; Sabin 36672; Siebert Sale105; Streeter Sale II:635; Vail 162; Wing J1019.