Beschreibung:

Title: Voyages de M.P.S. Pallas en Differentes Provinces de L'Empire de Russie, Et Dans L'Asie Septentrionale; Traduits de L'Allemand, Par M. Gauthier de la Peyronie, Commis des Affaires Etrangeres. Author: Pallas, Peter S. Place: Paris Publisher: Maradan Date: 1789-93 Description: 6 volumes including, 5 quarto text volumes, 1 small folio atlas volume. 107 copperplate engravings, several folding, including maps. 10½x8¼ and 13¼x9¾, 19th century half red morocco, blue boards. First French Edition. In 1767 Pallas received an invitation from Catherine II of Russia to take a position at the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. From that position he was authorized to lead an expedition into Siberia to observe the transit of Venus. He took seven astronomers and five naturalists with him, and the expedition became primarily oriented toward natural history. The exploration continued from 1768 to 1774, during which time some of the information was prepared for publication. The first volume appeared in 1771, a German edition printed in St. Petersburg, with subsequent volumes issued to 1776. The text is a broad survey of all aspects of natural history, as well as a study of the various peoples of Siberia. Lot Amendments Condition: Ex-library with labels on spines, penciled catalog numbers on title pages; private library rubberstamp on front endpapers; plates not marked. Spines faded, edges and corners rubbed, a few pulls to leather; occasional light foxing to text volumes; slightly heavier foxing to plates; overall very good. Item number: 183146