The Malaspina Expedition 1789-1794. The Journal Of The Voyage By Alejandro Malaspina. Three Volume Set Edited By David Andrew, Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Carlos Nove And Glyndwr Williams. Malaspina, Alejandro;

Volume I. Cadiz to Panama; Volume II. Panama to The Philippines; Volume III. Manila to Cadiz. Hakluyt Society Third Series. Volumes 8, 11 & 13. Royal 8vo. maps, illustrations, In fine original blue publishers cloth, map endpapers. in marked and used dust wrappers now protected Three volumes and very heavy will require extra postage. Among the voyages of exploration and surveying in the late 18th century, that of Alejandro Malaspina best represents the high ideals and scientific interests of the Enlightenment. Italian-born, Malaspina entered the Spanish navy in 1774. In September 1788 he and fellow-officer José Bustamante submitted a plan to the Ministry of Marine for a voyage of survey and inspection to Spanish territories in the Americas and Philippines. The expedition was to produce hydrographic charts for the use of Spanish merchantmen and warships and to report on the political, economic and defensive state of Spain's overseas possessions. The plan was approved and in July 1789 Malaspina and Bustamante sailed from Cádiz in the purpose-built corvettes, Descubierta and Atrevida. On board the vessels were scientists and artists and an array of the latest surveying and astronomical instruments. The voyage lasted more than five years. On his return Malaspina was promoted Brigadier de la Real Armada, and began work on an account of the voyage in seven volumes to dwarf the narratives of his predecessors in the Pacific such as Cook and Bougainville.