18. HALL. Captain Basil (1788-1844). Account of a Voyage of Discvoery to the West Coast of Corea. London: John Murray, 1818. 4to (265 x 215 mm). 9 aquatint plates, all but one hand-colored, after William Havell, one engraved plate, and 5 maps, 3 folding. Original half calf, rebacked to style, five raised bands, gilt stamped morocco label to spine. Condition: hinges cracked; lower covers abraded, spine darkened and stained at head and foot with short split to upper front joint. Provenance: Wauchope of Edmonstone (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION. Includes a vocabulary of the Loo-Choo language by H.J. Clifford. The earliest detailed account of the island of Okinawa, in the Luchu archipelago at the southern end of Japan, which existed as a sovereign state at the time of Hall's visit. Abbey, Travel, 558; Tooley 241.
est. $500 – £800