This is the smaller octavo edition of this important narrative of the most important American scientific expedition of the nineteenth century. This was the first U.S. Naval expedition, taking in the Northwest coast of America, Hawaii, South America, the Philippines, the South Pacific, Australia and Antarctica. The expedition broke new ground in most areas of natural history, made a number of extremely important cartographic discoveries, and most importantly established that Antarctica was a continent. They mapped 280 islands in the Pacific for the first time and included extensive and graphically rich ethnographic records of many native peoples throughout the Pacific. This edition includes woodcut illustrations in the text and the following 10 folding maps:

Map of the World Shewing the Tracks of the U.S. Exploring Expedition (11.0 x 8.3").
Low Archipelago or Paumotu Group (11.4 x 8.5").
Settled Part of New South Wales 1840 (11.2 x 8.5").
Chart of the Viti Group or Feejee Islands (11.0 x 8.3").
Map of the Hawaiian Group or Sandwich Islands (11.3 x 8.3").
Map of the Oregon Territory (13.1 x 8.3").
Groups in the Western Part of the Pacific Ocean Examined and Surveyed (11.3 x 8.3").
Map of Upper California (11.2 x 8.5").
Map of the Sooloo Sea (11.2 x 8.5").
Map Illustrative of the Currents and Whaling Grounds (11.2 x 8.5" ).

Complete in 5 volumes. Hardbound in original blind stamped and gilt cloth covered boards.

References: Howes #W-414; Sabin #103994.

Condition: B+

The maps and text are clean with a hint of pleasant light toning. Contents tight. Ex-libris with card sleeve on rear end paper and ink inscriptions on front endpaper of each volume. Volume 5 hinges are starting and spine is chipped. All volumes have light shelf wear and bumped corners.