the first modern geography book with the rare chart

A handsome copy of this long dismissed work now considered one of the first in modern human geography. David Stoddart wrote that the work 'marked the beginning of modern geography, in that it deployed the comparative sense of firsthand observations across perhaps one-quarter of the earth' and contains the first computation of any island's carrying capacity.

Forster sailed as naturalist on board HMS Resolution and his Observations were originally intended to accompany the official account of Cook's second voyage. The account of the voyage itself is therefore short, and the majority of the text relates to the scientific work of the voyage, including the comparative ethnographic observations and findings that Forster made in the South Seas. As part of his ethnographic studies he made detailed notes of the 'human species' giving information on the food, cannibalism, populations, status of women, customs, languages, mythology as well as recording the health and diseases of the islands. The final section 'presents a detailed evaluation of steps taken for the preservation of health on the voyage, notably the suggestions of James Lind on the treatment of scurvy' (Hill). Geography, oceanography, ethnology, and anthropology are also appraised.

The rare 'Chart Representing the Isles of the South Seas' found here but not present in all copies is based on a sketch drawn for Capt. Cook by Tupaia, a Tahitian priest and navigator.

First edition; 4to; folding engraved chart, large folding letterpress comparative table of South Sea languages; contemporary sprinkled calf, double gilt rule border to boards, neatly rebacked, black morocco label, yellow edges, a very good clean copy; [ii], iv, iv, 9-16, 9-650 (errata to verso),[ ii subscribers' list] pp.

Hill 628; Beddie 1262; Kroepelien 456; Hocken, p.18; Sabin 25140; Rosove 140.