Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia, during the Years 1828, 1829, 1830, and 1831: with Observations on the Soil, Climate, and General Resources of the Colony of New South Wales

London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1833. First edition. Hardcover. (A)n important book recounting discoveries of the highest consequence & being the 1st publication by one of Australia's most heroic explorers... is scarce & sought after." (Wantrup 118a). LACKS last page of prelims in both volumes & View of the Morumbidgee River & Palaeornis Melanura, or Black-Tailed Paroquet.

Written in England while Sturt was undergoing treatment for blindness. It describes his expedition tracing the course of the Macquarie River & the expedition to explore the Lachlan-Murrumbidgee River system, including the Murray River. A total of 4,000 miles were explored. The folding Arrowsmith map is "Map of the Discoveries in Australia, Copied from the latest M.S. Surveys in the Colonial Office. By Permission Dedicated to the Right Honble Viscount Goderich..." dated 15 Feby 1832. With an insert of Western Australia in the top left corner. The map is very slt. foxed, with two early pencilled notations identifying "South Australia" and "Victoria or Port Phillip".

8vo, 2 vols. lxxx, 219pp, b&w lithograph frontis, folding Arrowsmith map & 4 plates, the 2 plates of birds hand colored; (&) Vol 2 vi, 271pp, 16pp ads, frontis, map of Cape Jervis & 5 plates (of 7). Very nicely rebound in brown half calf, raised bands, gilt spine and marbled boards. Ferguson 1704. Wantrup 118a.