René DUGUAY-TROUIN

Complete and illustrated 1756 edition of naval lieutenant general Duguay-Trouin's memoirs, that were first published posthumously in 1740, in accordance with the author's wishes. In 1730, from the same publisher as our copy, an unauthorized edition prepared by Pierre de Villepontoux revealed Duguay-Trouin's achievements during his lifetime. Manuscript ownership inscription in black ink on the title page.

Contemporary binding in full brown sheep, richly decorated spine with five raised bands, brown morocco lettering piece, gilt roll on the board edges, blue pebbled marbled edges, marbled pastedowns and endpapers.

Headcap damaged, repairs and minor rubbing to the front board, corners bumped.

Half-title expertly repaired on verso, 2.8 cm tear at p. 105 not affecting the text, minor dampstaining toward the end of the volume, brief brown ink annotation on the rear free endpaper.

The work is illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of the author and 6 folding plates depicting ships, fleets, and naval battles, including a plan of the capture of Rio de Janeiro in 1711.

First edition, the only one authorized by the author. In 1730 a pirate edition appeared from Pierre Mortier in Amsterdam, in 12mo format. Duguay-Trouin having communicated the manuscript to the Regent, it was copied and published in 1730 by Pierre de Villepontaux who had the audacity to dedicate the edition to Duguay-Trouin himself. Title page in red and black.
The illustration comprises a portrait of Du Guay-Trouin as frontispiece, a vignette after B. Picard engraved by E. Fessard on the title page, and 6 folding plates of ships, squadrons and battles, engraved by J. P. Le Bas, and a folding plan of the capture of Rio de Janeiro in 1711.
Contemporary full brown marbled calf binding, spine with raised bands decorated, title label in brown morocco. Headcap, joints and corners expertly restored. One tear of 10 cm expertly restored (The ship Le Jason surrounded by the English squadron). Some pale scattered foxing, some leaves browned.
Du Guay-Trouin was undoubtedly one of the most famous naval officers of his time, active from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 18th century. In writing the manuscript of his memoirs which he wished published only after his death, Du Guay-Trouin wanted to restore the truth about the naval combats that occurred during his expeditions.
At the end, list of ships commanded by Du Guay-Trouin with the crew members.

Pirate edition (!) with Amsterdam imprint of Pierre Mortier, published the same year as the original Parisian edition, with perfectly identical collation, but with a different title vignette.
The illustration comprises a portrait of Du Guay-Trouin as frontispiece, 5 folding plates of ships, squadrons and battles engraved by J. P. Le Bas, and a folding plan of the capture of Rio de Janeiro in 1711.
Contemporary full brown calf binding, spine with five raised bands richly decorated, triple blind fillet frame to boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, all edges red. Headcaps and corners skillfully restored. Some gatherings browned.
Du Guay-Trouin was undoubtedly one of the most famous naval officers of his time, active from the end of the 17th to the beginning of the 18th century. In writing the manuscript of his memoirs, which he wished to be published only after his death, he wanted to establish the truth about the naval battles that occurred during his expeditions.