Important Hawaii Volume with 13 Engravings and Large Chart

This volume of Anson Byron’s Voyage of H.M.S. Blonde to the Sandwich Islands, in the Years 1824-1825 features a folding aquatint frontispiece of the “Great Volcano of Peli, at Hawaii”, folding engraved chart, 13 plates – including 5 aquatints – after Robert Dampier. The work was published in London by John Murray in 1826. The work was an account of the voyage to Hawaii to return the bodies of King Kamehameha ll and Queen Kamamalu, who passed away from measles while on a state visit to London in 1824. It detailed the King’s visit as well as the history of British exploration to the Hawaiian islands.

“Captain George Anson Byron was the cousin of the famous poet and succeeded to his title. This expedition, his last appointment afloat, was undertaken to convey back to the Hawaiian Islands the remains of their King Kamehameha II and his Queen, who had died from measles during their state visit to England.” (Sabin 100816)

Provenance: From the Collection of Lt. Cdr. Andrew David (bookplate)