Beschreibung:

DELISLE, Joseph Nicolas (1688-1768). Erklärung der Charte von den neuen Entdeckungen welche gegen Norden des Süder-Meers. [ Bound with :] MÜLLER, Gerhard Friedrich (1705-1783). Schreiben eines Russischen Officiers von der Flotte an einen Herrn des Hofes, die Charte der neuen Entdeckungen gegen Norden des Süder-Meers . Berlin: A. Haude and J. C. Spener, 1753. The extremely rare German edition, in original boards, of Delisle’s 1752 Explication , bound with Müller’s devastating critique of the French cartographer’s betrayal of Russian geographic intelligence. Unseen by Lada-Mocarski, both translations were done by Johann Victor Krause. Müller’s Schreiben is the first authentic record of Vitus Bering’s 1741 expedition, correcting the errors promulgated by Delisle in his prematurely published work. Also published in French in the same year, its importance "cannot be overemphasized" (Lada-Mocarski). After Bering’s death, the news of the discovery of Alaska reached the European press only in small spurts. Delisle’s publication of garbled details gleaned from his time working at the Russian Academy of Sciences aroused the indignation of his former colleagues. Müller, who was actually a part of the Great Northern Expedition, was compelled to publish an authoritative account to counter him. No copies are recorded by ABPC or RBH. Howes B-909 and M-874; see Lada-Mocarski 6 & 9; Sabin 41418; Tourville 717; Wickersham 5918 a. Two works bound in one, 12mo (167 x 99mm). Woodcut vignettes signed by Unger. Original papered boards. Provenance : Stephen Lunsford.