La découverte de la terre

First edition, illustrated with 59 drawings by L. Bennet and P. Philippoteaux, 35 facsimiles of antique engravings, and 20 maps or plans. Double volume, AB catalogue for 1880.
Publisher's brick-red cloth binding known as "à La sphère ptolémaïque" (one of the most harmonious designs among Souze's publisher's bindings), bound by Engel. Specially designed cover plaque by Souze. Striking front board with bright gilt. Minor splits at headcaps and rubbed spine ends. Spine in very good condition, with well-preserved gilt lettering.
Rear board of type b, with a central rosette and darkened corner palmettes. Brown endpapers characteristic of the first edition. Foxing on the title page due to the tissue guard, otherwise scattered foxing.
A very attractive copy overall.

This volume is the first in the triptych Les grands voyages et les grands voyageurs, and focuses on overland journeys and discoveries.