Description

First Edition of Forster’s Early Work: This rare first edition by German-born scientist Johann Reinhold Forster is a pioneering study of North American natural history on the Linnaean model. Forster, famous for sailing on Cook’s second voyage, aimed to systematize the fragmented field of natural history studies from the Americas. The work is largely based on specimens from British collections, particularly those of Joseph Banks and Anna Blackburne.

Significance: The book was central to Forster’s efforts to establish himself in England and brought him to the attention of the British scientific community, leading to his appointment on Cook’s voyage. The work includes a fine frontispiece plate of a falcon by Moses Griffith, illustrating the connections and interests stemming from Joseph Banks’ network.

Content: The book serves as a manifesto for better collecting and recording natural history beyond Europe. It includes Forster’s significant note on collecting and preserving specimens, offering insights into best practices of the era and his own methods during Cook’s voyage.

Rarity: The book is very scarce, with only four copies recorded on the market since 1993. No copies of this original edition have been traced in Australian libraries, where it is only represented by microform copies and a second edition from 1882.