Journal of a Tour in Iceland, in the Summer of 1809

London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown; John Murray, 1813. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Not Stated. The second edition of this scarce travel work exploring Iceland by William Jackson Hooker, illustrated throughout, including with folding maps. The second edition of this scarce work, being the first trade edition; the first edition was privately circulated in 1811, Complete in two volumes.An expansive journal recounting the author's tour in Iceland, undertaken in the summer of 1809. Hooker set off on his expedition on the suggestion of fellow naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, who had visited the country in 1772.On Hooker's return journey a fire broke out on the ship, and though Hooker and the ship's company were all rescued, Hooker's notes and specimens were destroyed in a fire on ship the during author's voyage home. However his good memory aided him in compiling this work, alongside notes written by then naturalist Sir Joseph Banks. In particular this work discusses the flora of Iceland, the author being an eminent botanist, who was the first director of Kew Gardens.Volume I illustrated with a hand-coloured frontispiece, two folding maps, two folding plates, two plates, and in-text illustrations.Volume II illustrated with a map to the frontispiece.Bookplate of Charles Langton Massingberd to the front paste downs, with his house label, Gunby Hall, to the front paste down of Volume I.Collated, complete. In a full diced calf binding, rebacked with the original boards restored. Externally, generally smart. Light discolouration and marks to the boards, and very light rubbing. Minor bumping to the extremities. Evidence of former wear prior to rebacking. Hinges are starting but firm. Bookplates to the front paste downs. Spots to the endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with some spotting, heavier to the first and last few pages. One folding plate is lacking the bottom third. Very Good