Beschreibung:

Title: Voyage des Capitaines Lewis et Clarke, depuis l'Embouchure du Missouri, jusqu'à l'Entré de la Colombia dans l'Océan Pacifique; Fait dans les Années 1804, 1805 et 1806, par ordre du Gouvernement des États Unis: Contenant le Journal Authentique des Événements les plus Remarquables du Voyage, ainsi que la Description des Habitants, du Sol, du Climat, et des Productions Animales et Végétales des Pays situés à l'Ouestde l'Amérique Septentrionale... Author: Gass, Patrick Place: Paris Publisher: Chez Arthus-Bertrand Date: 1810 Description: xviii, 443 pp. Translated by A.J.N. Lallemant. Folding copper-engraved map. 7½x4½, period leather-backed pastepaper boards, spine tooled in gilt, morocco lettering piece. First French Edition. First publication in foreign language of any detailed information of the Lewis and Clark expedition, of especial interest to the French, since it was through lands they had so recently laid claim to. Perhaps more notable, however, is the presence of the map by J.B. Tardieu, "Carte servir au Voyage des Capes. Lewis et Clarke..." which seems to be the first one published that mentions Lewis and Clark and locates parts of their route. It is on two sheets joined together. Wheat notes that "Tardieu had no Lewis and Clark map to assist him, but he apparently had at hand Meriwether Lewis's brief letter-report to Jefferson, and he did his best to locate on his map at least a few of the Expedition's points of geographic interest. His available topography, based as it was on Soulard, was both skimpy and erroneous, but his use of the quoted legends showed much ingenuity." This French edition also adds two letters of William Clark not published in other editions of Gass; that of April 2, 1805 from Fort Mandan, written to William Henry Harrison; and that of Sept 23, 1806 upon returning, written to his brother. The second letter is listed separately in Wagner-Camp and had various periodical appearances, but first appears in book form herein. Graff 1519; Howes G77; Wagner-Camp 6:3; Wheat Transmississippi 300. This is the Roger K. Larson copy, with his bookplate, sold by PBA Galleries on February 24, 1995. With custom-made half morocco slipcase. Lot Amendments Condition: Rubbing to spine, joints starting to crack; a bit of darkening to some pages, 3 leaves with minor stains, map with some light foxing; very good or better. Item number: 189990