Costumes of Different Nations, in Miniature, from Drawings by Alfred Mills.
London: Darton Harvey, 1814. Second edition. Hardcover. A children's copper engraved oblong miniature volume, which includes descriptions of Captain Cook's visit to Otaheitee (Tahiti) in the South Sea and its inhabitants, American Indians of Nootka Sound, and New Zealand.
Cook's first voyage, on the 'Endeavour', allowed astronomers to observe the Transit of Venus on June 3rd 1769 from Tahiti. Captain Cook's visit is described here as a pleasant one: "Captain Cook, in his voyages fell in with an island in the Pacific Ocean, named Otaheitee. The king of the place sent him a present of fine cloth, not wrapped up or in a box, but most ingeniously folded round two young girls, so as to resemble a court lady in a large hoop, the outside being covered with linen of various colours ... (p90). Four illustrations accompany the section on Tahiti, showing a man and woman in costume, a woman of Otaheite dancing, and a man in "Mourning Dress".
The New Zealand description illustrated with copper engraving of a man wearing a long shawl and holding a ceremonial staff. The Nootka Sound engraving depicts 4 Indians wearing a "flaxen mantle, edged at top with fur, and at bottom with fringe..." (p88).
Signatures of Margaret and George Holloway, Christmas 1872 at the early leaves.
24mo, 96pp. of text, 47 engraved plates. Full red gilt calf, gilt title at spine "Costume". Very good condition; a few of the copper engravings with color added. OCLC: 31640587. Trove 12577530 (2 copies) SL NSW and University of Melbourne. Very good condition. Item #23969
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