An Account of the Pelew Islands
London: 1890. Second Edition. BEAUTIFULLY REBACKED RETAINING ORIGINAL FULL SPECKLED CALF BOARDS.
An Account of the Pelew Islands
George Keate (based on the journals of Captain Henry Wilson)
Second Edition — London: Printed for Captain Wilson; sold by G. Nicol, 1788
Handsomely bound contemporary calf with gilt ship ornaments on spine
Description
A beautiful and well-preserved copy of the second edition (1788) of George Keate’s celebrated narrative, An Account of the Pelew Islands, Situated in the Western Part of the Pacific Ocean. The work is based on the real journals and correspondence of Captain Henry Wilson, commander of the East India Company packet ship Antelope, which was famously shipwrecked off the Palau (Pelew) Islands in 1783.
. Near Fine. Item #807
This firsthand narrative became one of the most important early European accounts of Palau, providing a detailed ethnographic description of island culture, weapons, government, and customs. It is a foundational source for Pacific exploration and anthropology.
The book includes the famed large engraved plates, including ethnographic depictions, implements, costumes, and scenes from the Antelope’s time among the islanders.
Significance
This work is one of the earliest and most influential Western descriptions of Palau. Captain Wilson and his crew spent several months on the islands after the wreck of the Antelope, living among the Palauan people, forming diplomatic bonds, and transporting Prince Lee Boo—whose tragic early death in England became an enduring cultural touchstone.
Keate’s account became widely read in Europe, shaping Western views of the Pacific and contributing significantly to early ethnography.
Price: $1,500.00
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