Histoire de la Jamaïque

SLOANE Hans
Histoire de la Jamaïque
Chez Nourse, à Londres 1751, in-12 (9,5 x 17 cm),
(4) 285 pp & (4) 248 pp., 2 volumes, contemporary calf
First edition in French, translated by Raulin, six folding plates at end (banana plant, coffee bush, fauna, etc.)
Contemporary marbled calf. Spine in compartments with four fleurons. Title- and volume-labels in beige morocco. Head- and tail-pieces of volume two worn away. Title-piece of volume I lacking, but title clearly legible, giving appearance of brown title-label. Scratch to upper cover of vol I. Three corners rubbed. A relatively fresh set.
Hans Sloane traveled to Jamaica in 1687 as doctor to the Governor, the Duke of Albermarle. He stayed 15 months, observing the flora, fauna, and habits of the natives, their produce and trade, among other things. His account was praised for the preciseness of his descriptions, especially in terms of botany. The work consists of 13 letters with interesting details, including the description of a typhoon in the first, as well as an earthquake and remarks on both slaves and pirates.