189. KOTZEBUE, Otto von (1787-1846).
Entdeckungs-Reise in die S d-See und nach der Berings-Strasse. zur Erforschung einer nord stlichen Durchfahrt. Unternommen in den Jahren 1815, 1816, 1817 und 1818, auf Kosten Sr. Erlaucht des Herrn Reichs-Kanzlers Grafen Rumanzoff auf dem Schiffe Rurick unter dem Befehle des Lieutenants der Russisch-Kaiserlichen Marine Otto von Kotzebue. Weimar: Verlegt von den Gebr dern Hoffmann, 1821. 3 volumes in one, as issued, 4to (11 x 9 inches; 285 x 225 mm.). Uncut. 26 plates and maps (19 hand-colored plates [14 of these in a variety of rich colors and five in sepia], one uncolored plate, 6 maps, 5 folding, 2 folding tables. Bound with title in vol.III in duplicate. Publisher's brown boards, printed paper spine label. Condition: Light spotting; light rubbing to covers, label slightly scuffed. Provenance: Eric Stock (bookplate).
first edition, color issue. a remarkable copy of “a very important and much-prized work” (Hill). Uncut, in the original boards, and with particularly fine hand-colored plates. “The second Russian expedition into the Pacific for scientific exploration, sponsored by Count Romanzoff, was commanded by Lieutenant Kotzebue, and also included the famous artist Ludovik Choris. Kotzebue had also sailed with Captain Kruzenshtern in 1803-06. Leaving Kronstadt in 1815, the Rurik rounded Cape Horn and visited Chile, Easter Island, and the Marshall Islands. Kotzebue explored the North American coast and Hawaii and searched unsuccessfully for a passage to the Arctic Ocean. The description of the northwest coast of America is a most important contribution” (Hill, p. 165). In 1816, Kotzebue visited California, and it is described, along with Alaska, in Volume II. This volume also contains the first scientific account of the California Poppy (now the state flower). Cowan p. 334; Forbes Hawaiian National Bibliography 525; Hill I, pp. 164-165; Howes K258; Lada-Mocarski 80; Sabin 38284; Streeter 3511; Zamorano Eighty 48.
est. $7000 – £10000