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BYRON, Lord [George Anson Byron].
Voyage of H.M.S. Blonde to the Sandwich Islands, in the Years 1824-1825. / Captain the Right Hon. Lord Byron, Commander
A famous voyage account, and an important and extensive illustrated description of Hawaii in the mid-1820s. Kamehameha II of Hawaii and his Queen Kamamalu were on a visit to London in 1824 when they both died of measles, against which they had no immunity. This voyage - 'one of the most gracious acts that one country has ever extended to another' (Buck) - was commissioned by the British government specifically to return their bodies to the Hawaiian Islands, with the cousin of the poet Byron in command. The book contains a history of their visit to London, a résumé of the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands and visits by British explorers, as well as the main narrative, compiled by Maria Graham from journals kept by the naturalist Bloxam as well as from official papers. The stay in Hawaii contains an interesting account of travels to Hilo, the volcano, Kealakekua, Lahaina, and Honolulu.
- Published
- London: John Murray, ca 1826.
- References
- Hill 231; Abbey Travel II 597.
- Plates
- 13
- Binding/Size
- M=4to
- Value
- 0-5000
- Published
- London: John Murray, ca 1826.
- Ref
- 876
FIRST EDITION. 4to. Recent ¼ calf with tooled border in blond and marble boards, title to spine in gilt, spine with raised bands in seven compartments of double blind-stamped bands, black morocco title label in the second compartment. Complete with two charts (1 folding), 12 hand-coloured plates (1 folding), and one wood engraving, all detailing the scenery of the Hawaiian Islands. P. (2), frontis, title, printer's imprint, preface iii-viii, blank, contents ix-x, plates directory, blank, half-title, blank, 3-260. This is a fine copy of this rare, hand-coloured version of the voyage to the Hawaiian Islands by Lord Byron, text and plates are clean and crisp. The voyage was led by George Anson Byron, the 7th Baron Byron, and successor to the title held by the famous Romantic poet Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron). The Blonde's mission to Hawai'i was to return the bodies of the island's monarchs, who had died of measles during a diplomatic mission to England. "Much interesting information is given on Hawaii and its natural history and inhabitants, but the work spoke ill of the American missionaries." Colour plates in order: 1. Great volcano of Peli in Hawaii (large folding plate). 2. Native Girl of The Sandwich Islands. 3. Naheinaheina. Princess of The Sandwich Islands. 4. View of part of Lahaina in Maui. 5. View near Honoruru, Oahu. 6. Kiaukiauli. King of The Sandwich Islands. 7. Fish ponds at Honoruru, Oahu. 8. Waterfall in Byron Bay. 9. Lord Byron's house at Byron Bay. 10. Waikeba River in Byron Bay. 11. The Volcano Peli on the Island of Owhyhee (map). 12. Missionary house in Byron Bay. 13. Morai near Karakakooa.
