A collection of voyages. In four volumes. by DAMPIER, William (1651-1715)

I.  Captain William Dampier’s voyages round the world : describing particularly, the coasts and Islands in the East and West-Indies. The South-Sea coasts of Chili, Peru, and Mexico. The countries of Tonquin, Achin and Malacca. The Cape of Good Hope, New-Holland, &c. II. The voyages of Lionel Wafer; giving an account of his being left on the isthmus of America, amongst the Indians, and of their treatment of him; with a particular description of the country &c. Also the natural history of those parts. By a Fellow of the Royal Society. And Davis’s expedition to the Golden Mines. III. A voyage round the world: containing an account of Cap. Dampier’s expedition into the South-Seas in the ship St. George. With his various adventures and engagements, &c., together with a voyage from the West Coast of Mexico to East-India. By W. Funnell, Mate to Capt. Dampier. IV. Capt. Cowley’s voyage round the globe. V. Capt. Sharp’s journey over the isthmus of Darien, and expedition into the South-Seas. VI. Capt. Wood’s voyage through the straights of Magellan. VII. Mr. Roberts’s adventures and sufferings amongst the corsairs of the Levant: his description of the archipelago islands &c. Illustrated with maps and draughts: also several birds, fishes, and plants, not found in this part of the world: curiously engraven on copper-plates. London: James and John Knapton, 1729. Four volumes octavo, contemporary calf, gilt-ruled, expertly rebacked with new spines to match, spine in panels with gilt-decorations, contrasting gilt-lettered morocco title labels. Volume 1: pp. [x], vi, 550, [iv - advertisements]. The seventh edition. Volume 2: pp. [viii], 184, [lxxvi - index], 132, [iv] 112, [vi - index]. Volume 3: pp. [xvi], 475 (mis-paginated), [ix]. The third edition. Volume 4: pp. [xvi], 208, [viii], 175, [ix - index and advertisements], illustrated with a total of 63 engraved plates (19 folding), including 19 maps; a fine, complete set. Captain William Dampier, a swashbuckling adventurer, sailed on two great voyages to Australia, in the year 1688 and again in 1698 - 1701, becoming on the earlier occasion the first known Englishman to set foot on Australian soil. He published separate accounts of the voyages in 1697 and 1699. Both achieved widespread popularity and were reprinted a number of times, in English, French, Dutch and German. This is the first collected edition of Dampier’s works (hence the Seventh and Third editions of the particular volumes), enhanced and expanded from the earlier editions by the presence of additional accounts of his expeditions by fellow officers, and also related expeditions which set sail in search of the Great South Land. Described by Davidson as ‘the best and most sought-after edition’, it has long been scarce, and remains a much-desired addition to a collection of early voyages to Australia. References: Davidson (A book collector’s notes), pp 32-33; Hill 2, 422; Sabin 18373