68, [4] pp. With two engraved plans on a single folding sheet, a folding engraved map colored in outline, and an engraved table of distances. (8vo) 22.5x14.5 cm (8¾x5¾"), period (likely original) marbled wrappers. First French Edition.
Rare French edition of Hutchins' description of the mid-Atlantic states, extending into the Midwest. Includes two engraved plans on one folding sheet, "Plan des Villages de la Contrée des Illinois" & "Plan des Rapides de la Riviere d'Ohio"; plus "Carte des Environs de Fort Pitt et de la Nouvelle Province Indiana," this last hand-colored in outline - it is traced from Hutchins' large map, "A New Map of the Western Parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina." This map is not in the English edition. The folding table shows distances from Fort Pitt to the mouth of the Ohio. The four pages at the end of the text comprise a table of Indian Tribes, a note, and list of "Chartes de l'Amérique, copiées fidellement sur les Cartes Angloises." American Book Prices Current lists only one copy of this French edition having sold at auction since 1975.
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Full title: Description Topographique de la Virginie, de la Pensylvanie, de Maryland et de la Caroline Septentrional: Contenant les Rivieries D'Ohio, Kenhawa, Sioto, Cherokée, Wabash, des Illinois, du Mississipi, &c.; Le Climat, ... Publiée par Thomas Hutchins, Accompagnée d'un Plan des Sauts de l'Ohio, d'un autre de tous les Villages du Canton des Illinois;... Plus, un Supplemanet, ... Journal de Patrice Kennedy's,... Traduit de L'Anglois. A Paris, Chez Le Rouge, Géographe, rue des Grands-Augustins. 1781
Provenance: Ross Valley Book Company, 3/85
References: Sabin 35055. Howes H-846.Cohn, Ellen R., "Benjamin Franklin, Georges-Louis Le Rouge and the Franklin/Folger Chart of the Gulf Stream", IM 52, 2000, pp 124-142 relates the circumstances of Le Rouge's publication of this translation of Hutchins' book.