[MARQUESAS] Ueber den Ursprung des bürgerlichen Lebens und der Staatsform in den Südsee-Inseln, und zwar auf der Insel Nuckahiwah, einer der Washington-Inseln. 

pp 133-168 in: Karl Heinrich Ludwig Pőlitz (editor), Jahrbücher der Geschichte und Staatskunst : eine Monatsschrift. Leipzig : Hinrichs, May, 1828. Octavo (215 x 130 mm), original printed wrappers, pp 113-224, partially uncut; with folio size folding lithographic plate of Marquesan tattoo designs at rear; a fine copy. Text in German in Fraktur.

The German naturalist and explorer Tilesius served as artist and marine biologist on the Nadezhda in Krusenstern’s 1803-1806 expedition, the first Russian circumnavigation. The Nadezhda spent twelve days at Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas in May, 1804. Tilesius’ important illustrated essay on the culture of Nuku Hiva is based on notes and drawings made during this visit.

Rare. A single copy is recorded in Australasian collections (State Library of New South Wales).