$9,225
La Perouse, Jean Francois de Galaup, Comte de (1741-1788) Voyage de la Perouse Autour du Monde. Paris: de l'Imprimerie de la Republique, 1797. Four large quarto volumes, and one atlas volume, text volumes each with half-title; volume one illustrated with engraved frontis portrait; engraved allegorical title in atlas volume, atlas illustrated with sixty-nine copper-plate engravings; the set bound in uniform full dark brown modern morocco, large copies, deckle edges throughout, very good; atlas volume bound in half leather with marbled paper boards to match; text volumes: 12 x 9 in.; atlas volume: 22 x 16 in. "La Perouse's expedition was one of the most important scientific explorations ever undertaken in the Pacific and the west coast of North America. The charge was to examine such parts of the region as had not been explored by Captain Cook; to seek an interoceanic passage; to make scientific observations on the various countries, peoples, and products; to obtain reliable information about the fur trade and the extent of Spanish settlements in California; and to promote the inducements for French enterprise in that quarter." (Quoted from The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages at the University of California, San Diego , New Haven & Sydney: William Reese Company & Hordern House, Ltd., 2004). La Perouse and his crew visited Easter Island, Hawaii, Macao, Formosa, the Aleutian Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, San Francisco, Monterey, and San Diego. Provenance: The Estate of Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2016-10-30
