Narrative and Successful Result of a Voyage in the South Seas…
Narrative and Successful Result of a Voyage in the South Seas, performed by order of the Government of British India, to ascertain the actual fate of La Perouse's Expedition, interspersed with accounts of the religion, manners, customs and cannibal practices of the South Sea Islanders.
London: Hurst, Chance and Co., 1829.
Two volumes, octavo, plates (two folding, one coloured), and a folding map; plates crisp, in half green morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, spine banded and gilt.
The chance discoveries that solved the 40-year mystery
First edition: the solution of the La Pérouse mystery.
First edition: the solution of the La Pérouse mystery.
Forty years after the French explorer first disappeared, Peter Dillon, a sandalwood trader, called at the Solomons; when a silver sword guard was shown to him, he suspected that he might have accidentally discovered the solution of a mystery that had tormented the French for so long. He returned to India and persuaded the government of Bengal to sponsor an expedition. At Vanikoro he found many relics including a portion of the stern of the Boussole, ships' bells stamped 'Bazin m'a fait', monogrammed silver, metal fragments and mill stones known to have been aboard. One native had a glass piece from a thermometer in his nose. Dillon was made a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur, his expenses defrayed and granted a pension. His book was commercially successful, appearing in English and French editions promptly and eventually in a number of translations.
Although Captain Peter Dillon is best known for his role in finding the wreck of La Pérouse's two vessels, the account also shows a passing interest in the voyages of the Bounty, and of the Pandora, and, especially in the region of the island of Rothuma, and gives detailed notes on the charting done by Captain Edwards and published on an Arrowsmith chart.
Ferguson, 1255; Hill, 480; Hocken, p. 44; Kroepelien, 296; McLaren, 'Lapérouse in the Pacific', 71; Spence, 'Bligh', p.15.
Condition Report: With one or two subtle reinforcements at folds; repair to title-page of volume two otherwise an excellent copy.
Price (AUD): $4,850.00
US$3,146.12 Other currencies