La découverte de la terre

First edition illustrated with 59 drawings by L. Bennet and P. Phillippoteaux, 35 facsimiles of old engravings, 20 maps or plans. Double volume, catalogue S.
Publisher's binding in lawn green cloth (undoubtedly the rarest of the colors), known as "La sphère ptolémaïque" (one of the most harmonious achievements among Souze bindings). Special plate designed by Souze. Superb front board, very fresh but with two small spots, one on the upper edge, the second next to one of the ships. A small tear on the right edge.
Back board type b, with rosette, corner palmettes. Brown endpapers characteristic of the first edition.
Corners, headcaps and joints skilfully and finely restored. 2 white spots along the lower joint. Small white spots on the back board.
Lower board with a few small white spots. Handsome copy, with very fresh plates. Scattered foxing.
This volume is the first published of the triptych: Les grands voyages et les grands voyageurs; it concerns travel by land.
On the first endpaper (pastedown): Large label with manuscript: Prix offert par le Comte de Pazic décerné à l'élève Bertin Armand. On the second endpaper, a dry stamp: Librairie Devisme, and a stamp, Bertin Postel, vitrier.