Voyage de Monsieur Le Vaillant dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique, par le Cap de Bonne-Espérance

Second edition, after the first published in Paris in 1790. It is similarly illustrated with 12 plates, some of which folding, and the famous plate of the Hottentot with the apron.
Contemporary full marbled sheep bindings. Smooth spines decorated with 2 fleurons and 2 compartmentalized urns, roll ornaments. Red morocco title labels and black morocco volume labels. Rubbing. Upper joint of volume I split at tail. Three holes on spine. 7 corners bumped. Some leaves slightly yellowed. Good copy.
François Levaillant (1753-1824) was a French explorer and ornithologist. In 1781, the treasurer of the Dutch East India Company sent him to Cape Province, in South Africa. He then collected numerous specimens in the region, bringing back more than 2000 bird skins to France. All his books met with great success throughout Europe. His ornithological collection would join the museum at Leiden, France not acquiring it. Some bird names he created are still in use. Some time later, species would bear his name, such as Levaillant's Cuckoo. In the preface, the author recounts his childhood in Surinam and his first collecting passions. The work contains interesting descriptions of the Hottentots and the Gonaquas, their customs and practices. The work achieved great success, undoubtedly due to the author's colorful and adventurous narrative.