Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

Product Categories

Voyages and Discoveries – William Dampier – the Argonaut Edition 1931

Short Description

There were two printings of this work by Argonaut Press London this is the upmarket edition spine vellum bound.

Published in 1931, printed by Morrison of Edinburgh, quarto, xxxvii, 376 pages. Printed on fine Japon vellum paper. Wine-red cloth bound with gilt device to front, true vellum spine with gilt titling. Limited to 975 copies. Woodcut on title by William Monk. Folding maps all present. A very good copy of a desirable Dampier. What looks like toning on the map is just our scanner on the polished japon paper ... it's as clean as a whistle.

With a long introduction and notes by Dampier expert Clennell Wilkinson. In our view this introduction is what sets this lovely book apart from the numerous facsimiles even those of fine printed quality.

Wilkinson explains the rather odd order of Dampier’s recollections … as they are not chronological but likely driven by the need to get paid in-between various adventurous explorations. Some early Dampier in Central America where he had to roll his sleeves up – and also his diaries. At one time in desperation whilst lost in Central American rain forests Dampier had to swim several raging creeks. To protect his diaries he used a sealed bamboo tube in which the rolled up diaries travelled. He was making notes early in life a habit he kept going until near the end. Piracy was soon his trade and then on to fame and sponsored explorer. Whilst back in England he mixed with the rich la-di-da and was sought after for upper crust social gatherings. Jonathan Swift likely knew him maybe not quite as the cousin he suggests of Gulliver. Swift was some fifteen years younger and would have read Dampier’s words which provided the inspiration for the settings of the “Travels

Sorry rambling – specifically, Part I Voyage to Achin, Malacca and Tonquin; Voyage to Tenan and a journey inland to Cachoa; After Tonquin – Cambodia and Bencouli then Achin in detail. Part II – Voyage to Campeachy, Jucatan, Alcranes and the Island of Pines. Various adventurous activities – Indians etc. Part II The [famous] Discourse of Winds, Storms, Seasons, Tides and Currents etc. Maps of the Streights of Malacca; Bay of Campechy; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the Atlantik and Indian Oceans; View of the General and Coasting Trade-Winds in the great South Ocean.

William Dampier if only he was alive today.

Updating...