Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia During the Years 1837, 38, and 39; Describing Many Newly Discovered, Important and Fertile Districts; with Observations on the Aboriginal Inhabitants, etc.

2 Volumes: Volume I, xiv+412 pages with black and white frontispiece, 5 color and 5 black and white plates, 11 in text illustrations, 2 maps in pocket. Volume II, viii+482 pages with color frontispiece, 10 black and white plates, 17 in text illustrations, lacks four page prospectus for Gould's Birds of Australia. Royal Octavo (" x 6") bound in original publisher's brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine. [Ferguson 3228] First edition.

Grey is best known for his expeditions in the north-west interior of the continent, which resulted in the discover of the Glenelg River, Stephen Range and Mount Lyell. As a young lieutenant, he had made a proposal to the Colonial Office to mount an expedition to the north-west coast of Australia for the purposes of establishing a settlement there for starving Irish peasants. His plans were approved and he sailed for Australia in the Beagle in 1837. He wen on to mount two expedition in the north-west in 1838 and 1839 which yielded particularly important geographical discoveries: "His expeditions were the first to examine the previously ignored north-west interior of the continent and he discovered much useful territory. The inland explorations of Grey and Lushington (his deputy) complemented by the associated coastal explorations of Wickham and Stokes in the Beagle, were a major advance in the discovery of the Australian continent" (Wantrup, p 206)

Condition:

Recased with original spines laid on, scattered foxing, corners bumped. Else a very good copy.