Voyage de La Pérouse autour du monde, publié conformément au décret du 22 avril 1791, et rédigé par M. L. A. Milet-Mureau [...]. [- Atlas [...]].

5 vol. Text: 4 vol., 8vo: [4]-lxviii-368, [4]-414, 316-[148], [4]-328 pp. (sl. spotting and foxing, tear in title and sm. holes begin. vol. I, marg. damp stains at end of same vol., marg. tear p. 51 vol. III). Atlas: folio: 70 (of 71) pl. (pl. 42 missing, marg. soiling, marg. damp stain in begin. and at end, some marg. strengthening).

Text: contemp. half sheep, paper covers, gilt-ruled flat spines, red spr. yellow edges (vol. I & IV rebacked, heads and tails of vol. II & III repaired, sl. rubbed). Atlas: contemp. blue paper cardboard (rebacked and repaired, rubbed, untrimmed).

Second edition (1st 1797) of the famous travel around the world of La Pérouse after the documents he sent to France, in particular through de Lesseps, edited by the French politician Milet-Mureau (1751-1825) on request of the French government. The economic and scientifc expedition left Brest in 1785 with the purpose to complete the Pacific discoveries of James Cook and to find a passsage to the North-West of America. They rounded Cape Horn, stopped in Chile, Easter Island, Hawaii, Alaska (first French expedition to visit the country), California, Macau, China and Japan seas and Tonga. Unfortunately the ships "La Boussole" and "L'Astrolabe" wrecked in 1788 on the reefs of Vanikoro where the ships were found in 1826. The Atlas contains a medallion portrait of La Pérouse after Tardieu, an engr. title, a fold. world map, 33 maps (20 fold. and 13 on double page: Conception Bay, coasts of America and Asia from California to Macau, North of Japan, Kuril islands...), and 34 (of 35) single plates representing views (Santa Catarina Island, Macau, Mainla Bay...), costumes and inhabitants, plants ("Guilboqui"), autochtons and statues from Easter Island, birds (California quail, promerops), canoes, etc.
Ref. Sabin 38960. - Chadenat 2671. - Cp. Nissen (ZBI) 2381 (1st ed.) but not in (BBI).
Prov. Unidentified arm. bookpl.