Lot 14. BYRON, Capt. George Anson.

A cousin, and heir, to the poet Lord Byron, Captain Byron led this expedition to return the remains of King Kamehameha II and his Queen to Hawai’i following their death from measles whilst in England. ‘The work contains a history of the late King’s visit to London, a résumé of the discovery of and visits to Hawai’i by British explorers, as well as the main narrative, compiled by Maria Graham from the journals kept by the naturalist (Bloxam) and from official papers. The Hawaii portion of the text contains an interesting account of events in Honolulu and travels to Hilo, the volcano, Kealakekua, and Lahaina’ (Forbes).

First edition. 4to, x, [ii], 260pp., folding engraved frontispiece, 12 aquatints and engravings, 1 plan and 1 folding chart, after Robert Dampier, engraved by E. Finden, a little light spotting, etc., contemporary half calf rebacked preserving red lettering piece, corners worn, lightly rubbed, a very good copy.

[Forbes 630; Hill pp309-310; Abbey 597; Sabin 100816. ]