PBA Galleries

3 volumes. xvi, 358, [errata leaf]; [4], 441; [4], 451. [3] pp. With 39 engraved plates; 3 folding engraved maps.  (12mo) 16.5x9.5 cm (6½x3¾"), period speckled calf, spines tooled in gilt, morocco lettering pieces. First Edition.

Important source of information on Louisiana from New Orleans north to the Sioux Villages. La Page du Pratz went to Louisiana in 1718 and remained there until 1734, living with a woman of the Chetimacha tribe. "It is from his relation that most of the details of the life of the Natchez and other Mississippi tribes of Indians have been derived" (Sabin). Many of the plates depict natural history subjects, with some the aboriginal inhabitants of the land. The three maps are:

• Carte De La Louisiane Colonie Française avec le Cours du Fleuve St. Louis, les Rivieres Adjacentes, les Nations des Naturels, les Establissems. Française, et les Mines... 25.5x34 cm.
• Untitled map of region about lower Mississippe river. 14.8x17.7 cm.
• Nouvelle Orleans Capitale de la Louisiane. 12.5x18.5 cm.

Provenance: Ross Valley Book Company, 9/92

References: Howes L-266. CS-G 2462. Sabin 40122. Streeter 127. W-TW 139 for largest map. Thrapp, p 998 for entry on Moncachtapé