Voyage fait par ordre du Roi en 1750 et 1751, dans l'Amérique septentrionale, pour rectifier les cartes des côtes de l'Acadie, de l'Isle Royale & de l'Isle de Terre-Neuve

First edition, printed by the Imprimerie Royale in Paris in 1753, illustrated with an engraved title vignette, six folding maps and two further folding plates devoted to astronomical observations (positions of the sun and moon, together with explanatory diagrams). The maps depict the coasts of Acadia and Île Royale, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the harbour of Canso, the south-eastern coast of Île Royale, the harbour of Chibouctou (Halifax), and the south-eastern extremity of Acadia.

Fine royal presentation copy bearing the arms and cipher of Louis XV. Contemporary full mottled and polished brown calf, spine with raised bands decorated throughout with the repeated royal cipher, red morocco lettering-piece, boards stamped in gilt with the royal arms of Louis XV within a triple gilt fillet border. Two spine compartments expertly restored, partially affecting the royal cipher, with further restoration to the foot of the spine, joints and corners.

A young naval officer trained in astronomy at the request of the Minister of the Navy, Joseph-Bernard de Chabert was selected in 1750 by La Galissonière, then head of the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine, to undertake a new hydrographic survey from Louisbourg of the coasts of Acadia, Île Royale and the approaches to Newfoundland, whose existing charts had proved inadequate. During more than a year of surveying under particularly demanding conditions, he explored the coastline as far as Cape Sable and Sable Island, producing one of the most accurate hydrographic surveys yet achieved for this region of North America. His observations notably demonstrated that Nova Scotia was between fifteen and twenty leagues shorter than shown on the charts then in use.

Published in 1753 with financial support from the Minister of the Navy, who reserved two hundred copies for official distribution, the work is divided into two sections: the narrative of the voyage from Brest to Louisbourg and the four hydrographic expeditions conducted along the neighbouring coasts, followed by a detailed exposition of the astronomical observations and calculations on which the new charts were based. The scientific quality of Chabert's work earned the highest praise from the commission of the Académie royale des sciences appointed to examine it, which recommended it as a model for future navigators. On 2 May 1754 he was appointed a Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis in recognition of his achievements. His career culminated in his promotion to Vice Admiral of the Naval Forces on 1 January 1792, shortly before the collapse of the Ancien Régime. After emigrating during the Revolution and returning to France in 1802, he was honoured with the purely honorary dignity of Dean of the Admirals of the French Navy.

Both a landmark in the development of French hydrography in North America and an outstanding example of the scientific policy pursued by the French Navy under Louis XV, this royal presentation copy, preserved in its original armorial binding, provides exceptional evidence of the Crown's official dissemination of works considered essential to navigation and maritime science.