Terra Australis Cognita : or, voyages to the Terra Australis, or Southern Hemisphere, during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth Centuries.

Containing an account of the manners of the people, and the productions of the countries, hitherto found in the Southern latitudes; the advantages that may result from further discoveries on this great continent, and the methods of establishing colonies there, to the advantage of Great Britain. With a preface by the Editor, in which some geographical, nautical, and commercial questions are discussed. Edinburgh : printed by A. Donaldson [in volume 3, Printed by A. Donaldson for the author], 1766-68. Three volumes, octavo (210 mm), contemporary full calf, spines with raised bands, contrasting morocco title labels and volume numbers in gilt; pastedowns with armorial bookplate of St. Andrew Lord St. John of Bletsoe; volume 1: pp. [iv including the Townshend dedication leaf], viii, [ii Contents], 2 folding maps (‘General Chart’ mounted in two sections), 516; volume 2: pp. [iv]; ii, folding map, 692; volume 3: pp. iv (with the Dundas dedication leaf), 745; front hinge of volumes 1 and 3 cracked, all three volumes internally clean and fresh, a fine set

Callander’s important collection of early voyages to the Southern Hemisphere, including his proposal for the British settlement of Australia, based on de Brosse’s Histoire des navigations aux Terres Australes, as well as the works of Hakluyt, Purchas, Thevenot and others. It includes accounts of sixty-three voyages, including those of Magellan, Drake, Quiros, Le Maire and Schouten, Tasman, Roggeveen, Vlamingh, Anson, and Byron.

With the three important maps as issued, the map of the Australian continent being ‘of great interest particularly when compared with the Tasman map of 1644. Although Van Diemen’s Land is still shown as part of the mainland, New Zealand and New Guinea are already known to be separate lands and in fact the outline of Australia is complete except for the eastern coast, yet to be charted by Cook’ (Davidson).

The first volume of Callander contains the first state dedication leaf to Townshend, indicating an early issue. After Townshend’s death in 1767 a replacement dedication leaf was issued for Sir Laurence Dundas, which is contained in the third volume.

Davidson p. 35; Hill 240; Hocken pp. 5 – 7; Landwehr 271; Sabin 10053