Voyage aux Indes orientales et à la Chine, fait par ordre du roi, depuis 1774 jusqu'en 1781 [...].

2 vol., 4to: xv-[1]-317-[1], viii-298-[8] pp.; 140 pl. (part. +/- browned, foxing, marg. staining to last ff. of vol. II).

Contemp. marbled calf, triple gilt-ruled boards, gilt-orn. spines with raised bands, red edges (joints, heads and tails renewed, sl. rubbed).

First edition of the travels to India, China, but also Madagascar and Philippines i.a. by the French naturalist and explorer Sonnerat (1745-1815). Illustrated with 140 plates, most fold., after the author's drawings, depicting Indian scenes of everyday life, religious ceremonies, music instruments, birds, Tamil alphabet, indigenous people, etc. Subscribers' list at end of vol. II.
Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 2102. - Nissen (IVB) 886. - Pritzel 8774. - Not in Chadenat.
Prov. Antonio de Almeida Correa (blind stamp).