GRANT, James, Lieut. (1772–1833). The Narrative

GRANT, James, Lieut. (1772–1833). The Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery, performed in His Majesty's Vessel The Lady Nelson... London: C. Roworth for T. Egerton, 1803. 4to (273 x 210 mm). Blank leaf d4 present (“rare but is integral to the book” and not noted by Ferguson), 2pp. list of “encouragers” also present (which is not found in most copies and was also not known to Ferguson. See Wantrup pp. 150–152). Folding engraved chart with portions of the coastline outlined in red by hand, large folding frontispiece of sliding keels bound in between blank leaf d4 and B (tear along inner fold with old paper repair), 6 engraved plates (one hand-colored). (Some minor browning or spotting at margins). Contemporary calf blind ruled in alternating palmettes inside a thrice gilt ruled border, retrospective rebacking with two renewed morocco lettering–pieces gilt and nautical device centerpieces in compartments gilt, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers (very light edgewear, few small scuffs to boards, covers slightly bowed, original endpapers and flyleaves retained). Provenance: William Williams (signature dated 1856) who was possibly the surveyor aboard the Lady Nelson and listed as one of the “Encouragers”; William Mackenzie Williams (bookplate dated 1880). FIRST EDITION of a work “of the highest significance to any collection of Australian books and no collection of books dealing with coastal discovery or with Victoria, can be without it” (Wantrup). Using a revolutionary vessel specially designed by John Schank for survey work in shallow waters (illustrated on the folding frontispiece), Grant carried out a series of expeditions along the Australian coastline, including the first passage through the Bass Strait from west to east. RARELY SEEN WITH BOTH THE BLANK LEAF d4 AND LIST OF ENCOURAGERS. Ferguson 375; Hill 718; Sabin 28306; Wantrup 75.