Account Of A Voyage Of Discovery To The West Coast Of Corea, And The Great Loo-Choo Island

London: John Murray, 1818., 1818. 4to. pp. 2 p.l., [vii]-xv, [1]plate list, 222, cxxx, [72]. lacking half-title. 9 aquatint plates (incl. frontis., 8 hand-coloured), 1 engraved plate, & 5 engraved maps (2 folding). modern half calf over 19th century marbled bds., endpapers retained (dedication leaf rehinged, short tear at upper edge of frontis. repaired - no loss). First Edition. Captains Hall and Maxwell began this expedition shortly after they brought the Amherst mission to China in 1816. Sailing on the 'Alceste' and 'Lyra', the expedition visited Korea and 'Loo-Choo Island' (Okinawa) and explored the Yellow and East China Seas. "Korea had been sketchily explored by Europeans, but it was not until the 'Alceste' and 'Lyra' expedition in 1816-17.that detailed information was obtained about the Ryukyus." (Hill) This account includes nine handsome aquatint views and costume plates drawn by William Havell after sketches made by Capt. Hall and midshipman, C.W.Browne. The appendix contains maps, hydrographical and scientific notes, and a vocabulary of the Loo-Choo language, by H.J.Clifford. Abbey, Travel, 558. Brunet III 21. Cordier IV 3009. Hill p. 134. National Maritime Museum I 523. Prideaux pp. pp. 251 & 338. Tooley 241.. F. Hardcover.