Second voyage dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique, par le Cap de Bonne-Espérance, dans les années 1783, 84 et 85.

3 vol., 8vo: [2]-xliv-304-[2], 426-[4], [4]-527-[7] pp.; 22 pl. (some ff. sl. browned, occ. foxing in vol. II and III, tear in p. 195 of vol. I, 3rd part of last lf. of vol. I missing, sm. marg. ink stains to quire C in vol. II).

Contemp. half sheep with sm. vellum corners, marbled paper covers, gilt ruled flat spines with red leather labels, spr. edges (joints splitting, spines sl. rubbed, wormholes to lower joints of vol. I and II, sm. lacks of leather to lower cover of vol. I).

First edition of the famous relation of the second voyage of exploration in South Africa by Levaillant (1753-1824), French traveller, naturalist and ornithologist. Ill. with 22 copper-engr. plates (5 fold., incl. the pl. Vbis, VIIIbis and the two XIbis) representing natives, fauna and flora and views. Levaillant described many news species of birds based on those he collected in Africa and he brought to France the first skeleton of a giraffe.
Ref. Chadenat 1660. - Cox I:390. - Nissen (ZBI) 2482. - Not in Gay (other ed.).