Author: KEATE, GEORGE:
Title: An Account of the Pelew Islands, Situated in the Western Part of the Pacific Ocean Composed from the Journals and Communications of Captain Henry Wilson and some of his Officers who in August 1783 were there Shipwrecked in the Antelope, a Packet Belonging to the Honourable East India Company. London, Printed for Captain Wilson, 1789.
Description: . 4to. Pp. xxxvi, (1), 378. With one large folding engraved map, one engraved front portrait and 15 engraved plates. Nicely rebound with new paper spine, original covers preserved. Some light offsetting to the plates (as usual) otherwise a clean and nice copy. Third edition of this classic account by Keate first published in 1788. The Antelope was shipwrecked on the Pelew Islands or Palau, in the Caroline Islands of the west Pacific. All the crew were saved and were the first Europeans to make contact with these islanders. This popular account describes the natives, their life and customs including religious practices and language. Here included is the first printed vocabulary of the Pelew language, which belongs to the Austronesian family of languages. The plates depict ornaments and jewellery, baskets, belts, swords etc. Wilson brought back some artifacts which generated a great interest in Europe of the South Seas. Cox ii, p. 302. Hill pp 160-161.

Keywords: Oceania incl. Pacific, pelew islands, pacific, oceania, travel, exploration, vouage,


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