6 volumes. [6], viii, 454; [2], 501; [2], 465; [2], 588; [2], xxviii, 456; [6], 434 pp. With 28 folding engraved maps by Nicholas Bellin; 96 engravings of plants on 44 folding sheets. (12mo) 16.5x9.5 cm (6½x3¾"), 20th century full polished tan calf with triple gilt filet borders, spines tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering pieces, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers all edges gilt. Second Edition.
Handsome set of the History of New France by the French Jesuit priest, traveler and historian Charlevoix, including the account of his extensive travels. This 6-volume duodecimo edition is the same date and has the same contents, including the maps, as the 3-volume quarto edition, though the latter seems to take precedence. At the behest of the French government, Charlevoix traveled to the New World to explore the French colonies, eventually making his way through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi and down to New Orleans. The work contains an important series of maps of the maritime provinces, the Saint Lawrence, and into the interior. Notable among these are maps of North America; the Mississippi basin ("Carte de la Louisiane Cours de Mississippi"); a plan of New Orleans; the Great Lakes ("Carte de Lacs du Canada"); the Gulf of Mexico; and others. Warren Heckrotte notes that "Several of the maps are important cartographical records."
Provenance: Parke-Bernet 5/68
References: Howes C-307. CS-G 650, 3 volume ed; provides full description of the maps.
Condition:
Faint spotting or discoloration to some of the covers; occasional slight darkening of contents, a few instances of minor marginal worming; still fine or nearly so, a nicely bound and attractive set.