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VANCOUVER, George (1757-1798). Voyage de découve

VANCOUVER, George (1757-1798). Voyage de découvertes, a l'océan Pacifique du nord, et autour du monde . Traduit de l'Anglais. Ouvrage enrichi de figures, avec un grand atlas.

Paris: De l'Imprimerie de la République, An VIII [1800]. 4 volumes. Text: 3 vols., 4to (310 x 235 mm); atlas: 1 vol., folio (640 x 400 mm). Uncut. Text: 18 engraved plates or charts. Atlas: 10 double-page engraved charts, 6 engraved plates. (Some spotting throughout). Text: original French pink sprinkled paper over boards, with original printed paper spine labels. Atlas: rebound in brown half brown morocco over red paper-covered boards, spine lettered in gilt. Condition: Text volumes with ex-library perforation stamps to titlee, some spotting to atlas volume; bindings of text worn with some restoration to paper, atlas rubbed and scuffed. Provenance: Brooklyn Public Library copy. (library stamps) first edition in french of vancouver's narrative: "one of the most important accounts of the exploration of the pacific northwest and new zealand" (Streeter). First published in London in 1798, Vancouveris narrative was translated from English for this edition by J.N. Demeunier and C. Morellet. "Vancouver's explorations on the northwest coast included the Port of San Francisco, New Albion, Nootka sound, and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, all of which are described geographically and historically. The work is superior to any of its kind, and constitutes the chief source of authority of that period" (Cowan). Cowan pp. 654-655; Hill I, p. 303; Howes V-23; Sabin 98441; cf. Streeter VI, 3497 (London edition).