Beschreibung:

Title: Voyage de Dècouvertes, à l'Océan Pacifique du Nord, et Autour du Monde; dans lequel le côte Nord-Ouest de l'Amérique a été soigneusement reconnue et exactement relevée: Ordonnépart le Roid d'Angleterre... et exécuté en 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 et 1795... Author: Vancouver, George Place Paris Publisher: De l'Imprimerie de la République Date: An VIII [1800] Description: 3 volumes (lacking atlas) xi, [1], 491; [4], 516; [4], 562 pp. With 17 copper-engraved plates & 1 copper-engraved chart. (4to) 29.5x22 cm. 11½x8½, period calf-backed marbled boards, each in modern linen folding box. First French Edition. An important account, translated from the English first edition of the year previous. "Vancouver (1758-1798) was an extraordinarily capable explorer, having sailed with Cook on the second and third voyages (1772-4, 1776-80) and served under Rodney and Alan Gardner. It was Gardner who recommended him for a voyage in search for a northwest passage to the Great Lakes" (Streeter). The present narrative is the complete account of that voyage. Among the important features of the narrative are the engraved views in Volume II of the Mission of San Carlos and the Presidio of Monterey, probably the first published views of California. Forbes 324. See Streeter VI 3497. Lot Amendments Condition: Bindings rubbed and scuffed, joints repaired; all lacking the half-titles, Vol. II the front free endpaper as well; Vol. I with some mostly marginal dampstaining to contents, pp. 268 & 269 soiled; Vol. II contents dampstained including plates; Vol. III with occasional minor marginal dampstains; overall very good. Item number: 213572