A Voyage to the South Sea, and Round the World, Perform'd in the Years 1708, 1709, 1710, and 1711, by the Ships Duke and Dutchess of Bristol. Containing a Journal of all memorable Transactions during the said Voyage; the Winds, Currents, and Variation of the Compass; the taking of the Towns of Puna and Guayaquil, and several Prizes, one of which a rich Acapulco Ship. A Description of the American Coasts, from Tierra del Fuego in the South, to California in the North, (from the Coasting-Pilot, a Spanish Manuscript). ………Wherein an Account is given of Mr. Alexander Selkirk, his Manner of living and taming some wild beasts during the four Years and four Months he liv'd upon the uninhabited Island of Juan Fernandes.: One of the most important Buccaneering and Pacific voyages.

London H.M. for B. Lintot & R. Gosling, 1712, 8vo [200 x 120mm], contemporary panelled calf gilt, rebacked, 24], 456, [12] pp. with 16 engraved plates and 4 folding maps including a map of the world, some folding, a fine copy. First and Best Edition of this famous Buccaneering Voyage.

A consortium of prominent citizens of Bristol, England's second largest port in 1708, purchased two ships: the 320 tons, 30 guns ' Duke' and the 260 tons, 26 guns ' Duchess'. This work by Edward Cooke is one of two published simultaneously, describing their pursuit for Spanish gold with William Dampier in his third and final circumnavigation of the world, acting as pilot to the voyage. They captured the Spanish Treasure Galleon Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion Disengano carrying a hold of gold and jewels. They brought the treasure back to Bristol amid huge celebrations and national interest.

Cooke was second Captain of the Duchess, part of the buccaneering expedition of Capt.Woodes Rogers circumnavigating the globe, visiting the coast of California in 1709, attacking the Spanish on the west coast of South America. There is an account of California, with a plate showing a native of the region. The expedition also put in at the island of Juan Fernandez where they discovered the castaway, Alexander Selkirk, who had sailed with Dampier and been stranded on the archipelago after various arguments. Selkirk became the inspiration for Defoe's, Robinson Crusoe. Including a description, taken from a Spanish manuscript, of the west coast of America from Tierra del Fuego to California.

A rush to issue an account of this voyage developed between the publishers of this narrative and that of Woodes Rogers.

One of the most important Buccaneering and Pacific voyages.

Hill 372;Sabin 16303; NMM 1:99 ;Wagner Spanish Southwest 77.