Lot 292
La Pérouse, Jean François de Galaup, comte de
Auction: 13 January 2010 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Voyage de La Pérouse autour du monde... rédigé par M.L.A. Milet-Mureau. Paris: l'Imprimerie de la République, 1797. First editions, 4 volumes, 4to [iv], 72, 346, [ii]; [iv], 398, [ii]; [iv], 422, [ii]; [iv], 309, and atlas folio, text with half-titles and engraved portrait in volume 1, atlas with engraved allegorical title and 69 engraved plates, charts and maps, some double-page, contemporary calf, gilt, text with Northern Lighthouse Board gilt stamp to upper boards, head and tail of spines and corners rubbed, crack to upper joint of volume 2, lower edge of upper board of volume 3 worn, slight worming to joints of volume 4, atlas with Northern Lighthouse Board gilt stamp at head of spine, worn, spine detached
Footnote
Note: La Pérouse set sail in 1785 with the frigates Astrolabe and Boussole for the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of North America. His orders were to examine those parts of the region not already explored by Captain Cook, to search for 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 in general the inducements for French enterprises. After sending his despatches from Botany Bay the expedition was never heard of again but the remains of his ships were later found on Vanikor, one of the Santa Cruz islands.
Sabin 38961; Hill, p.173;