A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, in His Majesty's Ship, The Endeavour. Faithfully transcribed from the papers of the late Sydney Parkinson, Draughtsman to Joseph Banks, Esq. on his late expedition with Dr. Solander, round the World. Embellished with views and designs, delineated by the Author, and engraved by capital artists

London: Printed for Stanfield Parkinson, 1773. First edition with the very rare "Explanatory Remarks" by Fothergill and postscript. Complete with frontispiece and 27 engraved plates (including 1 map). xxiv, 22, 212, 2 pp. Imperial 4to. Contemporary tree calf, finely rebacked with gilt spine to period style. Fine. First edition with the very rare "Explanatory Remarks" by Fothergill and postscript. Complete with frontispiece and 27 engraved plates (including 1 map). xxiv, 22, 212, 2 pp. Imperial 4to. First edition of this important account of Cook's first voyage, based on the journal of Parkinson, who had been engaged by Sir Joseph Banks to serve as natural (truncated) history draughtsman aboard the Endeavour. Parkinson died of dysentery on the homeward voyage, and his account was transcribed and published by his brother Stanfield Parkinson, who was forced by injunction to delay publication until Hawkesworth's official account appeared. "Parkinson made numerous drawings of botanical and other subjects, including landscapes and portraits of native chiefs ... Banks spoke highly of his 'unbounded industry' in making for him a much larger collection of drawings than he anticipated. His observations, too, were valuable, and the vocabularies of South Sea languages given in his journal are of great interest" (Hill).

This copy includes the rare "Explanatory Remarks" by John Fothergill, a Parkinson family friend who mediated an agreement between Stanfield Parkinson and Banks, both of whom laid claim to the journal, which would allow for the publication of the book. When Stanfield Parkinson included a scurrilous preface attacking Banks and misrepresenting his actions, an offended Fothergill purchased the remaining copies, inserting into them these 22 pages of remarks which sought to set the record straight. In 1784 he brought out a new edition of Parkinson's account which included the remarks, but copies of the first edition which include them are scarce on the market. Beddie 712; Hill 1308; Holmes 7; Howgego C173; Du Rietz 944; Sabin 58787 (Inventory #: 310853)