The Journal of Joseph Banks in the Endeavour, 1768–1771 (Limited Deluxe Edition)

BANKS, Sir Joseph (foreword H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; commentary A. M. Lysaght). The Journal of Joseph Banks in the Endeavour, 1768–1771. Guildford & Adelaide: Genesis Publications in association with Rigby Limited, 1980. 2 vols.

Small Quarto. Both volumes quarter brown polished calf and brown paper boards, bound by Zaehnsdorf. Spines with raised bands and gilt-decorated compartments, titled in gilt on red Morocco panel. Boards decorated in blind with the Banks family arms and facsimile signature. All edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Vol. I: 616 pp; Vol. II: 732 pp. Tipped-in frontispiece portraits with tissue guards to each volume; 12 illustrations plus 16 plates throughout, reproducing paintings and drawings by the Endeavour artists Alexander Buchan, Sydney Parkinson, and Herman Spöring. Housed in matching slipcases. Limited edition. Limited to 500 numbered copies, this being number 471. Prince Philip's signature to the foreword is a facsimile reproduction, not an autograph. Facsimile of the manuscript held in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

On April 28 1770, the Endeavour dropped anchor in a pleasant bay, 'tollerably well sheltered from all winds', on the east coast of Australia. Two Aborigines in white warpaint hurled spears at the first landing parties until one was shot and wounded. Banks mistook the boomerangs carried by other natives for 'scmitars' - it was to provide the first of many surprises.

By chance, the Endeavour had sailed into one of the most pleasant parts of that great southern land. For two weeks Banks and his party landed each day and roamed through the countryside, collecting strange flowers, plants and animals previously unknown to Europeans. It is not difficult to imagine the rising excitement as they examined the specimens in the great cabin on board the Endeavour. This one region alone had yielded numerous different species of plants; and it was only natural that Cook, in deference to his colleagues, should eventually commemorate their haul by naming the place Botany Bay.

Fine. Set presents as new, beautifully preserved. Some markings to outers of both slipcases.

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Catalogue Number: HH000674