Very rare first edition of the French translation, partially unpublished, enriched with historical, geographical, and botanical notes, as well as a notice on ancient and modern Cyrenaica, the Kingdom of Fezzan, Timbuktu, the oasis of Siwah (the ancient Ammon Oasis and the Temple of Jupiter), the desert wind, the sacred ibis, the lotus, Egyptian papyrus, and the silphium so highly prized by the Ancients.
Illustrated with 8 plates and 1 folding map out of text.
Not recorded by Gay. Bourquelot V, 657 mentions only 7 plates and 1 map.
Contemporary-style binding in black half calf, flat spine decorated with double blind fillets, marbled paper boards, red edges. Modern binding signed Laurenchet.
Restorations to the half-title and title pages. Internally fresh and attractive.
The plates depict: Tantalus Aethiopicus (Ibis) – Mus Gerboa – Musa Paradisiaca – Desert Grasshopper – Bedouin Arab Encampment – View of a section of the Necropolis of Cyrene – Moorish dwelling in Dernah – Lotus branch in bloom – Papyrus Egyptiaca – Map of Cyrenaica to accompany the advance of the Tripolitanian army.