The history of Kamtschatka,: and the Kurilski Islands, with countries adjacent...

Glocester: R. Raikes for Thomas Jeffrys, 1764. First English language edition. Quarto (27 cm); [8], vii, [8]-280, [8] pages, [8] leaves of plates (some folded) : illustrations, maps. Bound in full speckled calf outlined in gilt; red title label titled in gilt; spine in six compartments defined in gilt. Fore-edge stained red, faded. Joints and hinges reinforced, corner and edges renewed. Old commercial marks in pencil on front pastedown, along with old printed catalog entry. Old tears at corners of folding maps admirably repaired. Occasional paper blemishes; closed tear at S2; light even toning throughout. A very good copy! References: Arctic Bib. 9264; Sabin 38301; Tourville 2532; Howes K-265.

The first English edition of Krasheninnikov’s 1755 scientific description of Kamchatka, largely based on the notes of Georg Steller. Krasheninnikov abandoned the Great Northern Expedition to avoid becoming Steller’s assistant, but was able to make use of his notes for this first scientific account of Bering’s expedition to Alaska. Steller survived the shipwreck and scurvy that killed Bering and most of the crew, and continued to explore and document Kamchatka for several years, giving his name to a variety of newly discovered Arctic fauna and describing the native people of the region.