Atlas volume only to "Voyage da La Pérouse Autour du Monde..." With engraved pictorial title page + 69 engraved maps, plans, views, etc., many folding or double-page. (Folio) 57x39.5 cm (22½x15½"), period calf-backed marbled boards.

The magnificent atlas to the highly important account of the explorations of La Pérouse. Apparently the large paper issue, as noted by Warren Heckrotte in his notes. Sailing from France in 1785, La Pérouse was to examine such parts of the Pacific as had not yet been explored by James Cook; to seek for an interoceanic passage; to make scientific observations on the various countries, peoples, and products; to obtain reliable information about the fur trade and the extent of Spanish settlement in California (with the possibility of seizing some parts north of the Spanish), and to promote in general the inducements for French enterprise in that quarter. He reached the northwest coast and Alaska in June, 1786, was in Monterey, California on September 14, sailed westward, charted around Japan and the Pacific Islands, etc., and finally anchored in Botany Bay, Australia in January 1788. He left Australia in mid-February, but would perish at sea. The atlas is replete with charts and views of the regions explored. There are 31 charts & maps and 38 views, with a few botanical and zoological images. There is a large folding chart of the world, and the majority of the maps and charts are double-page. The maps include details of the Northwest coast of America, the bays of San Francisco and Monterey, the coast of Asia, Japan, various Pacific Islands, etc. Important views are of the inhabitants and landscape of Easter Island, Maui, and the Northwest Coast of America.The atlas has two copies of plate 10 (chart & plans of I'Ile du Paque, i.e. Easter Island), one of which has been substituted for plate 19 ("Plan du Port Des Français sur la Còte du Nord-Ouest de l'Amérique...") - to rectify the shortage, a separate copy of the latter plate is supplied - it is laid down on thin cardboard backing. There was a portrait, sometimes bound into the atlas and sometimes the text - it is not present here.

Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte

Provenance: Brick Row & Ross Valley Book Company, 9/85

The paper size is larger than that given by Lada-Morcarski for the large paper size. Quaritch, Cat 1172, 3/93, records a copy of the atlas of size 595 by 440 mm;  about a cm taller than mine. D. Sloan Auc Cat, Americana, 2/14/07, records copy of atlas of size 62 x 45.6 cm.

References: Cowan p.383; Forbes 309; Hill p.173; Howes L93; Lada-Mocarski 52; Wagner N.W.C., pp.199-201; Zamorano 80 49