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(ALASKA.) Steller, Georg Wilhelm. Beschreibung von dem Lande Kamtschatka. 2 folding maps, 14 plates on 12 folding sheets, illustrated title page, text illustrations. [8], 24, [4], 384, 71, [1] pages. 8vo, contemporary calf, minor wear, small early number tag on backstrip; front hinge split, minor foxing, early catalogue tag on front pastedown. Frankfurt, 1774
first edition. Steller was a German botanist and zoologist who accompanied Vitus Bering's second Kamchatka expedition from 1739 to 1742. In 1741, he became the first European to set foot on what is now Alaska. Steller was given a mere ten hours to make observations on Kayak Island before the ship's departure, during which he was able to describe several new species. The ship was stranded off Kamchatka on their return voyage, and Steller remained for two years after their rescue to continue his scientific observations. This account of his voyage includes discussion of Alaska on pages 11-12, 240-1, and 251, as well as in pages 41-44 of the appendix by G.F. Müller. Howes S934 ("b"); Lada-Mocarski 21.
