Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

2 volumes, large folio (394 x 241 mm). Engraved frontispieces, 5 (of 9) folding maps, 15 (of 23) plates, several folding. (Light browning to map of the world, also with small hole in margin at fold Contemporary panelled calf (very discreetly rebacked to style, lettering-pieces preserved, some scuffing to covers, light rubbing to edges). Provenance: John Eyre (1665-1715?), possibly the English lawyer and Whig politician (early ownership name on front free endpaper and titles); early notation on front pastedown of vol.1 dated 15 March 1723, listing exported gold and silver from Holland and India.

FIRST EDITION of this important encyclopaedic work, encompassing the whole world, including the Americas. Harris compiled these many narratives to compete with Churchill's popular collection of voyages published in 1704. Whereas Churchill concentrated on primary accounts, Harris chose travel narratives, which he remarks as beginning with "the most early Discoveries, and Settlements of Trade, and reaches down to the Year 1626, where Purchas ends his Collection. But you will find here a succinct Account, of the Books of very many other Authors, which are neither in Him nor Hackluit... The Second Volume hath nothing out of Purchas and Hackluit; but is entirely New: Being taken from the best of all the Modern Authors extant... the Index is so very large and compleat, that you may there readily find the Description of any Part of the World; or an Account of any Bird, Beast, or Plant... that hath been descib'd by Travellers." Davidson, pp 37-38; ESTC N10531; Hanson 533; Hill, pp.137-38; Sabin 30482.