Travels in the island of Iceland, during the summer of the year MDCCCX by Mackenzie, Sir George Steuart - 1811

First edition. Printed by Thomas Allan and Company for Archibald Constable and Company et al. Edinburgh. 1811. Quarto. xvii, (2), 491, (1) Directions to the Binder. 15 engraved plates (eight mounted (as issued) hand-coloured aquatints, one large folding view of Reikiavik), four folding tables, 2 maps: engraved map of Iceland, large (58cm x 45cm), folding hand coloured map of the Southwest coast of Iceland drawn by Sir G. S. Mackenzie Bart., F.R.S.E., text engravings. Handsome later half calf, marbled boards, spine in 6 compartments with raised bands, gilt lettering, rules, and tooling. Original marbled endpapers, small area unmarbled (printing fault) to lower corner of ffep. Armorial Bookplate to fep. Slight spotting to Title and Preface. Occasional minor spotting. Specimen pressed fern loosely inserted at p.192-3, with light transference. A very bright handsome volume.

Provenance:

Armorial Bookplate of Thomas Challis with lion rampant holding an axe.

Sir George Steuart Mackenzie (1780-1848). Scottish Mineralogist, noted for his discovery that diamonds are a pure form of carbon.

Mackenzie voyaged to Iceland in 1810 for the purposes of mineralogical research. Accompanied by physicians Richard Bright (1789-1858) pioneer into the research of kidney disease (Bright's disease), and Henry Holland (1788-1873), later appointed Physician Extraordinary to Queen Victoria, Mackenzie surveyed volcanoes, geysers and the other geological features of the island. In addition to reporting the results of the expedition's scientific exploration, this work describes the history, culture, commerce, education, religion, costume and food of the islanders, and an account of the Icelandic Revolution of 1809. Richard Bright's observations on the zoology and botany of Iceland and a survey of the health of the population by Henry Holland, who introduced smallpox inoculation during his visit are included. Also includes a plate of musical notation, The Ancient Sacred Music of Iceland. An excellent and all-encompassing account.

"No expense was spared to publish this handsome volume, well illustrated, both in black and white and colour, with interesting tables, drawings and maps." [In Search of "A Distinct and Peculiar Race of People": the Mackenzie Expedition to Iceland, 1810. Anna Agnarsdóttir University of Iceland, Reykjavík]