Yves-Joseph de KERGUELEN DE TRÉMAREC

Edition published one year after the original, illustrated with four fine copper-engraved plates by Charles Eisen depicting Nordic types (Icelandic women, a bear hunt, Samoyeds, a Laplander in a sleigh) engraved by Le Mire, one folding map by Bellin, thirteen maps, plans, or views (eight of them folding) engraved by Croissey, as well as a charming engraved title vignette and a headpiece by Le Gouaz.

See Sabin, 37616; Chadenat, 1633; Boucher de la Richarderie, I, 380.

Full mottled calf binding, smooth spine richly gilt in compartments decorated with gilt fleurons and geometric motifs, sometimes slightly rubbed, red morocco label, restorations to spine and joints, gilt roll...

Paris, Knapen & Fils, 1782. Octavo, viii, 244 pages and 2 unnumbered leaves of approbation and privilege.

 

First edition, illustrated with a large folding map entitled "Terres Australes ou partie septentrionale de l'Isle de Kerguelen", surrounded by eight coastal views and profiles. The volume contains the accounts of Kerguelen's two expeditions to the southern seas between 1771 and 1774, a memoir on Madagascar on pages 154-169, and "Observations on the War in America" on pages 121-133. Cf. Sabin, 37618.

 

Contemporary full mottled tan calf, smooth...

First edition containing 18 full-page plates, some of them folding. Also illustrated with a title vignette and 2 headbands.
Some foxing, one section uncropped.
Copy in its rare original contemporary paper covers, with some tears to the margins.
A fine copy, as issued, of Kerguélen's account of his North Atlantic expedition where he became familiar with sailing in the cold seas, first in 1767 with the corvette La Folle, following French cod fishermen, then the following year with the corvette L'Hirondelle. In 1768, he brought back two polar bear cubs for King Louis XV's menagerie.