A Voyage to the South Seas, and to many other parts of the world Performed from September 1740, to June 1744.....To which is added an Appendix

PIRATING THE PIRATES

First edition thus. Portrait, trimmed and laid down, with a tear to the leaf it's laid down on, not affecting print, and five folding plates. 8vo. Contemporary calf, recased. x, 11-408, 54pp London, R. Walker, 

This rare pirated edition has a somewhat complex bibliography.

As publishers scrambled to meet demand for an account of Commodore Anson's voyage, various pirated accounts were published using, without scruple, the actual first hand accounts of John Philips, and for the exploits of the crew of the Wager, Bulkeley and Cummins together with contributions from one other anonymous voyage participant. This incarnation was one issued by the Knaptons in concert with Walker, as being by an "Officer of the Squadron". The latter re-issued it in 1745 (as here) with a different title intending it to look more official and without attribution, though the text and illustrations are the same. There were, furthermore, at least two rival publications almost identical (but without the Appendix material) using the same sources which were ascribed to "An officer of the Fleet" both of these were issued in 1744, in parts - one by Merryman, and in a different setting by Plumb. Merryman gives an amusing advice not to fall for his rivals' offerings which were more expensive. His parts cost a farthing each, and though claiming priority his images which are crude clearly derive from those far superior in the "Squadron" version, of which the above is a second issue with a new title-page. 

Stock Code: 243147